Experts voice concerns over proposed Ganges Barrage

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) has raised 10 questions over the proposed Ganges (Padma) Barrage Project, asking for its data, possible impact on downstream areas and high cost. The organisation has urged the government to make all project information public before moving ahead.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) raised the questions at a national discussion titled “Ganges (Padma) Barrage: Some Questions and Proposals” at the CIRDAP auditorium on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, BAPA president Professor Nur Mohammad Talukder questioned why there was secrecy around the project. He said the public should have access to all information about it.

Dr Nazrul Islam, a BAPA vice-president, said the proposed barrage would be about 2.1 kilometres long and could store around 2.89 billion cubic metres of water. He said project documents claim that the barrage could increase river flow, reduce salinity and improve freshwater flow in the Sundarbans.

However, he questioned the reliability of the data used for the project. According to him, the feasibility study was based on water-flow data up to 2010, rather than updated data up to 2026. He also questioned where the water needed for dry-season storage would come from when river flow can fall sharply during the dry months.

Expert Dr Md Khalequzzaman said water management should consider the whole Ganges basin and not only the dry season. He warned that the barrage could also have impacts such as upstream flooding, sediment deposition and downstream river erosion.

Other experts at the meeting had different views. Agricultural economist Professor Dr Jahangir Alam Khan said the government should consider whether the project would improve food production and farmers' livelihoods. North South University Professor Dr Md Sirajul Islam said barrages could have economic benefits but the government should also consider alternatives.