The Namami Gange Program, an initiative of the Indian government to clean and protect the Ganges River, has recently expanded its scope to include the development of river fronts on the Gandak River in Gopalganj district, Bihar. Two Ghats have been constructed as part of this project. This comes after the Gandak River was announced as National Waterway (NW)-37 via the National Waterways Act, 2016. This act designated 111 NWs across India, including the stretch from Bhaisalotan Barrage to the confluence of the Gandak and Ganga rivers at Hajipur, Bihar.
Key Facts about The Gandak River
The Gandak River, also known by the names Gandaki and Narayani in Nepal, is a pivotal waterway flowing through northern India and Nepal. It holds great ecological significance due to its proximity to the Valmiki National Park and Tiger Reserve in Bihar.
The river takes its first form at an altitude of 7,620 meters above the main sea level in the north of Dhaulagiri in Tibet, near the Nepal border. It owes its origins to the Himalayas and travels a total length of 630 kilometers. Of this distance, 445 kilometers run through Indian territory while the remaining 185 kilometers pass through Nepal.
The Gandak River’s drainage basin spans a total area of 29,705 square kilometers. Within India, the river enriches the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh before joining the Ganges near Patna, a little downstream of Hajipur.
The Gandak River is fed by several significant tributaries, including the Mayangadi, Bari, Trisuli, Panchand, Sarhad, and Budhi Gandak.
National Waterways Act-2016
The National Waterways Act, 2016 is a significant legislative document passed by the Indian parliament in March 2016. The Act facilitated the declaration of 111 waterways as National Waterways, encapsulating inland rivers and canals within its jurisdiction. It’s primary purpose is to foster the growth of inland water transport and present it as a viable alternative mode for goods and passengers’ transportation.
In conclusion, the development on the Gandak river under the Namami Gange Program and its declaration as a National Waterway is a significant step in utilizing India’s waterways for accessible and efficient transportation, while also undertaking measures to protect and preserve these natural resources.
Source: PIB
Last Modified: February 20, 2024