Question : EROSION BY THE BHAGIRATHI RIVER

(a) whether Bandel-Katwa Railway Line in between Naloadwip and Kalna near Samudragarh in the Eastern Railways is facing danger by erosion of the Bhagirathi;

(b) if so, whether the Bhagirathi is now flowing 30 mtrs. away from the Railway line;

(c) if so, whether the Bhagirathi, after building of the Farakka Dam, has taken a new turn in its flow; and

(d) if so, whether the Government of West Bengal has shown their willingness to go in for a joint programme with the Government in resisting the river erosion?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir.

(c) The Farakka Barrage was constructed during 1974 and the said erosion started in 1983. It is difficult to link this erosion with the construction of barrage 200 km. in the upstream.

(d) Flood Management being a State subject, the flood control schemes are planned, funded and executed by the State Government themselves out of their own resources and as per their own priorities. The assistance rendered by Central Government are technical, catalytical and promotional in nature. As informed by the Government of West Bengal, they had prepared a scheme amounting to Rs. 11.30 crore which is in correspondence with the Eastern Railways. Also, anti erosion measures in the from of construction of repelling spurs have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways during 2002-03 at a total cost of Rs. 3.26 crore.