River Ganga
By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: It may not be long when mainstream of river Ganga would again flow through dry river banks adjoining this city. The dredging work for desilting of river being undertaken currently by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), at Bairiya stream of the river near Rattipur Ghat has generated hope, the past glory of city being situated on banks of river Ganga would be revived in near future.
With sharp northward drift of mainstream in recent years, the banks of the river adjoining the city remains almost dry during sizable period of the year. In lean season when water flow is less, it is generally a dead channel that flows through ghats of the river here.
As result of northward drift, the sufficient water is available in city ghats only when water level of river registers increase. As per information the dredging work being undertaken at Bairiya stream aims at increasing depth of the channel, so that mainstream water could flow into city ghats.
The stretch of the river where dredging work is in progress currently is located between Rattipur Ghat and Manik Sarkar ghat of city. The dreading work is also being undertaken with objective of desilting and thereby ensuring sufficient water in navigational channel of the river round the year.
Availability of clean water in sufficient quantity at ghats of city would be useful in movement of both cargo and tourist vessels through water route of the river, it is stated.
Due to insufficient water at ghats here currently, the cargo and tourist vessels generally pass through river route adjoining Naugachia subdivision of this district, located in northern side of the river.
With work of river front development already completed here and work for similar river front development in progress at Sultanganj, the increased water availability at almost dry ghats here, it is largely felt would help in successful implementation of government plan of promoting river tourism in this region.
It is expected tourist movement through river route would increase considerably on successful accomplishment of dredging work being undertaken by IWAI.
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