Question

Choose the correct statement(s) regarding the Hooghly River system.

1. Hooghly is a tidal river.

2. The Farakka Barrage diverts Ganga waters into it.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. Both 1 and 2
• D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Both 1 and 2

• Correct Answer: Option C - Both 1 and 2

• The Hooghly River system has the following characteristics:

• Hooghly is indeed a tidal river. It experiences significant tidal influences from the Bay of Bengal, with tidal effects observed up to 300 km upstream. This tidal nature makes it an important navigational channel and has historically contributed to the development of Kolkata as a major port city.

• The Farakka Barrage does divert Ganga waters into the Hooghly. The barrage was constructed in 1975 specifically to divert water from the Ganges into the Hooghly River through a 38 km long feeder canal. This diversion was designed to flush out silt and maintain the navigability of Kolkata Port by increasing the freshwater flow in the Hooghly.

• The Hooghly River (also known as the Bhagirathi-Hooghly) is a distributary of the Ganges River in West Bengal, India. It forms an important part of the Ganges Delta and serves as a critical waterway for transportation and commerce in eastern India.