Question

How does the Farakka Barrage help the port of Kolkata?

Answer 1

The Farakka Barrage helps the port of Kolkata in the following way:

• It diverts water from the Ganga into the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river, which increases the flow of water in the Hooghly.
• This additional flow reduces silting and maintains the navigability of the river channel.
• As a result, the port of Kolkata remains functional, since ships can move in and out without being obstructed by silt deposits.

The Farakka Barrage helps by flushing out silt and ensuring regular water flow, which keeps the Kolkata port navigable.