A Critical Study of the Kaliaghai-Kapaleshwari-Bagui Project and Its Consequences for Water Management in the Moyna Basin, West Bengal, India

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Autori principali: Nirmal Mondal, Pervez Ahmed
Natura: Recurso digital
Pubblicazione: Zenodo 2026
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author Nirmal Mondal
Pervez Ahmed
author_facet Nirmal Mondal
Pervez Ahmed
contents <p>Abstract: The Moyna basin of East Midnapore, located in the lower deltaic plain of coastal<br>West Bengal, has historically been prone to prolonged floods and prolonged inundation. Prior<br>to 2010, a combination of low channel capacity, heavy sedimentation, structural barriers and<br>tidal backwash caused annual or near-annual floods lasting 15-40 days. The KaliaghaiKapaleshwari-Bagui (KKB) project (2010) was initiated in collaboration with the West Bengal<br>government and the central government as a major basin-scale intervention that included river<br>dredging, embankment strengthening, channel widening and rehabilitation of tributary<br>networks. This study critically examines the hydrological, geomorphological and socioeconomic consequences of the project using household surveys, flood records, rainfall<br>statistics, satellite observations and secondary data from the state irrigation department,<br>comparing the pre- and post-2010 situations. The findings show a significant reduction in flood<br>duration and water stagnation-typically 15-30 days before 2010 to 3-7 days after 2011, and a<br>significant reduction in flood frequency. Despite these achievements, new challenges are<br>emerging: rapid sediment deposition in low-lying areas, tidal barriers, persistent man-made<br>barriers (bamboo bridges, fishing nets), and reduced transport capacity in distributary rivers.<br>The paper argues that the KKB project has successfully reduced the risk of major floods, but<br>its long-term sustainability depends on continued dredging, improved sediment management,<br>catchment-wide planning, and community-cantered water management strategies. The study<br>provides policy recommendations to ensure a resilient hydrological management in the Moyna<br>basin.<br>Keywords: Moyna Basin, flood management, water stagnation, deltaic rivers, KKB Project,<br>West Bengal.</p>
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spellingShingle A Critical Study of the Kaliaghai-Kapaleshwari-Bagui Project and Its Consequences for Water Management in the Moyna Basin, West Bengal, India
Nirmal Mondal
Pervez Ahmed
<p>Abstract: The Moyna basin of East Midnapore, located in the lower deltaic plain of coastal<br>West Bengal, has historically been prone to prolonged floods and prolonged inundation. Prior<br>to 2010, a combination of low channel capacity, heavy sedimentation, structural barriers and<br>tidal backwash caused annual or near-annual floods lasting 15-40 days. The KaliaghaiKapaleshwari-Bagui (KKB) project (2010) was initiated in collaboration with the West Bengal<br>government and the central government as a major basin-scale intervention that included river<br>dredging, embankment strengthening, channel widening and rehabilitation of tributary<br>networks. This study critically examines the hydrological, geomorphological and socioeconomic consequences of the project using household surveys, flood records, rainfall<br>statistics, satellite observations and secondary data from the state irrigation department,<br>comparing the pre- and post-2010 situations. The findings show a significant reduction in flood<br>duration and water stagnation-typically 15-30 days before 2010 to 3-7 days after 2011, and a<br>significant reduction in flood frequency. Despite these achievements, new challenges are<br>emerging: rapid sediment deposition in low-lying areas, tidal barriers, persistent man-made<br>barriers (bamboo bridges, fishing nets), and reduced transport capacity in distributary rivers.<br>The paper argues that the KKB project has successfully reduced the risk of major floods, but<br>its long-term sustainability depends on continued dredging, improved sediment management,<br>catchment-wide planning, and community-cantered water management strategies. The study<br>provides policy recommendations to ensure a resilient hydrological management in the Moyna<br>basin.<br>Keywords: Moyna Basin, flood management, water stagnation, deltaic rivers, KKB Project,<br>West Bengal.</p>
title A Critical Study of the Kaliaghai-Kapaleshwari-Bagui Project and Its Consequences for Water Management in the Moyna Basin, West Bengal, India
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20349649