West Bengal Signs MoU for Basin-Based Masterplans for Ichhamati and Jalangi Rivers

Category : State Published on: March 05 2026

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The Government of West Bengal has signed a tripartite MoU with German development agency GIZ and the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG) to prepare basin-based masterplans for the Ichhamati and Jalangi rivers. Announced on February 23, 2026, this marks the state’s first structured initiative for river sub-basin planning under the ₹200-crore ‘Nodi Bandhan’ scheme.
The plan aims to address siltation, pollution, riverbank erosion, flood mitigation, and groundwater recharge, with implementation expected after one year of planning.
Ichhamati, flowing between India and Bangladesh, faces severe pollution, siltation, and declining fisheries, while Jalangi suffers from heavy siltation, industrial effluents, and riverbank erosion. Both rivers are transboundary, making upstream water management and coordination with Bangladesh critical for their revival.
Experts and activists have welcomed the initiative but emphasize that effective implementation, community consultation, and strict enforcement against encroachments and waste dumping will determine the project’s success. The masterplans align with the broader goals of the National Mission for Clean Ganga.