The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has announced preparations to implement the long-delayed Padma Barrage project, with an estimated cost of 50,443.64 crore Taka. The project aims to enhance water management in the Padma River, a vital continuation of the Ganges flowing into Bangladesh from India.
The development comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are facing slow progress in renewing the crucial Farrakka Water Treaty, which governs water sharing from the Ganges River. The treaty, signed in 1996 for a 30-year period, is set for renewal in 2026, but diplomatic tensions and regional politics have hindered negotiations.
Farakka Treaty and Regional Tensions
The 1996 agreement has become increasingly contentious, with Bangladesh seeking guarantees for dry season flows, citing reduced water levels in the Padma caused by India’s upstream Farakka Barrage. India, meanwhile, aims to revise the treaty to suit its own needs, complicating negotiations amid broader regional issues such as climate change and demands from West Bengal.
Bangladesh has expressed concerns over water shortages and flooding, especially during the monsoon season. In 2024, devastating floods affected multiple districts, with some attributing part of the cause to the operation of the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal. India has refuted these claims, emphasizing that the Farakka Barrage functions primarily as a diversion structure and not a dam, with gates controlling water flow.
Bangladesh’s Strategic Push for Water Security
Bangladesh views the Padma Barrage as a strategic move to store monsoon water and ensure a consistent supply throughout the year, especially for nearly 37% of the country that depends on the river. The project is expected to benefit 7 to 8 rivers and help restore degraded water systems during dry seasons. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has decided to fund the project domestically, with future plans to seek foreign assistance, including from China.
Geopolitical Developments and Regional Implications
China is collaborating with Bangladesh on the Teesta Master Plan, with recent visits by Chinese officials to border regions near India’s Siliguri corridor. This has added another layer to the regional dynamics, as India and Bangladesh remain deadlocked over the sharing of the Teesta River waters. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposes any agreement that might limit water access for her state.
Historical Context
The water sharing disputes trace back decades, with Bangladesh taking the issue to the United Nations in 1977 and signing the Ganga Water Treaty in 1996. Despite these efforts, disagreements over water release and management continue to strain bilateral relations.
As Bangladesh advances its water infrastructure projects independently, India continues to monitor developments closely, aware that regional water management issues remain a sensitive and complex challenge for both nations.
