The Minister of Irrigation and Waterways in West Bengal, Manas Ranjan Bhunia, on Thursday (July 31, 2025), announced that West Bengal is planning a ‘mega river management project’ with Bihar and Jharkhand, for the Gangetic plains of Malda and Murshidabad districts.
“A coordination meeting was held between Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) in Patna on July 24 this year. GFCC estimated that the brunt of the river lies 80% on West Bengal, 15% on Jharkhand and the rest on Bihar. They asked the three States to submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for erosion abatement. West Bengal is ready,” Mr Bhunia said on Thursday.
He added that West Bengal has planned a project worth ₹610 crores, particularly in the Malda and Murshidabad districts, through which the Ganga enters West Bengal and takes a southward turn to the Bay of Bengal as the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River.
“The Ganga flows down from north India, passes through Bihar and Jharkhand, and slams against the Ratua 1 block of Katahadiara in Malda district with heavy flow and momentum. The land here is getting increasingly engulfed by the river. The lives and livelihoods of people are threatened,” Mr Bhunia said.
