Parliament Question: Bank Erosion in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia Districts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6246 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 BANK EROSION IN MALDA, MURSHIDABAD AND NADIA DISTRICTS 6246. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the bank erosion in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts of West Bengal and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the total erosion and deposition recorded between 1988–2023, district-wise; (c) the number of villages, agricultural land area and population affected due to continuous bank erosion, particularly in Ratua-I, Manikchak-Kaliachak and Dhulian reaches; (d) whether the Government proposes to implement the recommended mitigation measures including spurs, revetments and activation of the Sakri Gali paleo-channel along with the estimated cost and timeline and if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether extension of the jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage Project for anti-erosion works up to 120 km has been approved or is under consideration and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (d) Flood management and anti-erosion schemes are formulated and implemented by concerned State Governments as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical guidance and also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas through a centrally sponsored scheme, Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP). As per the request of State Government of West Bengal, a Committee constituted by Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation comprising members from the State Government of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and concerned Central Government Departments has conducted a joint detailed technical study to formulate an integrated plan to combat the threat of erosion posed by Ganga-Padma river in its entire stretch of 163 km in three Districts namely, Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia in West Bengal and at a stretch of 15 km near Bihar-West Bengal Border. Report 1of this Committee containing recommended mitigation measures of bank revetments, spur and activation of the paleo-channel, among others, in identified and prioritised critical reaches, has been provided to the concerned stakeholders for implementation. District-wise data on erosion and deposition and the data regarding villages, agricultural land and population affected due to bank erosion is not maintained centrally. Central Water Commission has carried out a morphological study of Ganga river using Remote Sensing Techniques for the period 1970 - 2010, through IIT Roorkee indicating erosion of 4289.32 hectares and deposition of 724 hectares in a reach of 50 km in the upstream of Farakka Barrage. (e) Farakka Barrage Project undertakes river bank protection/anti-erosion works in critical reaches in its jurisdiction (upto 12.5 km in the upstream of Farakka Barrage and 6.9 km in the downstream of Farakka Barrage) for the safety and security of Farakka Barrage and its appurtenant structures. There is no proposal under the consideration of the Government for the extension of the jurisdiction of the Farakka Barrage Project. ***** 2