The Bihar government has proposed developing an industrial corridor stretching nearly 400 kilometres along the Ganga, connecting Buxar with Bhagalpur, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary outlined at a programme on the Ganga water agreement and Bihar's water security on Tuesday, November 3.

Source: APAC News Network

Under the proposal, roads will be developed along both banks of the river, supported by embankments and desiltation work. New townships are planned at selected locations between Buxar and Bhagalpur, with the possibility of river-facing residential properties. The government says the corridor is meant to promote industrial activity, improve connectivity and support economic growth along the river.

'First comprehensive silt policy in the country', says Chief Minister

Choudhary said Bihar has become the first state in the country to introduce a comprehensive silt management policy, aimed at tackling recurring floods and using accumulated river silt for infrastructure development, ANI reported. He was speaking at an MoU-signing programme under the 'Nadi Sanjeevani' initiative for river desilting and the use of silt in national highway construction, in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and senior officials.

Source: ANI

Explaining why the river needs desilting, the Chief Minister said siltation linked to the Farakka Barrage has widened the Ganga across Bihar: the riverbed spans about 5 to 6 km where the Ganga enters at Buxar, about 13 km at Patna, 18 to 20 km at Munger, and 38 to 40 km at the tail end in Katihar and Bhagalpur, with the silt layer reaching about 10 metres (35 to 40 feet) in thickness, according to his remarks reported by ANI.

NHAI pact on December 12; Farakka and water security

A key part of the plan is using silt removed from the Ganga in road construction. The state government plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on December 12 for the use of the material, and an aerial survey of the river is also planned to assess its condition.

Choudhary emphasised a long-term approach to flood management and water security, saying Bihar's interests should be protected in any decision on the Farakka water arrangement and that the state's water requirements — for drinking water, agriculture and industry — must receive priority. The corridor remains a proposal at this stage; the reports did not announce a project cost or a construction timeline.