What is Bangladesh’s Padma Barrage?
Bangladesh has approved the Padma Barrage, a 2.1-km-long river engineering project on the Padma river (Bangladesh's stretch of the Ganga) in Rajbari district. This project aims to re-engineer the hydrology of its southwest region, which has faced drought due to reduced seasonal flows linked to India's Farakka Barrage. The Padma Barrage will impound significant water, generate hydropower, and irrigate vast farmlands. While supporters see it as a water security solution, critics warn of potential ecological problems like altered sediment flows, water-logging, and damage to fisheries, also questioning the approval process. The article highlights a regional trend of building river barriers in South Asia, contrasting with dam removal efforts in Europe and North America.
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