(a) whether navigation is being hampered due to heavy siltation in the lock channel approach of Farakka Barrage Project;
(b) if so, whether dredging activities/measures have been taken to clear the channel in front of Farakka Barrage Project; and
(c) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) Sometimes during the lean months, the depth of water in
the navigation channel of Farakka Barrage Project becomes
less than 2m which is the minimum depth required for
navigability.
(b) & (c) Maintenance dredging has been carried out in the
vicinity of the lock channel by the Inland Waterways
Authority of India in 1999 to improve the water depth.