Bihar becomes first state to launch comprehensive silt management policy
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the policy to tackle floods and use river silt for infrastructure development.
Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce a comprehensive silt management policy, according to ANI. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the move on Tuesday during an MoU signing ceremony for the ‘Nadi Sanjeevani’ initiative, which focuses on river desilting and using silt for National Highway construction.
The Chief Minister stated that the policy, named the ‘Bihar Water Source Restoration and Silt Management Policy 2026’, will turn flood and silt vulnerabilities into resources for development. He noted that the silt could provide earth and sand for township development and road projects.
Addressing the state's flood issues, Choudhary said seven major rivers enter Bihar from Nepal. He noted that despite Bihar recording more than 32 per cent deficient rainfall this year, three major rivers reached peak flood levels. He said the Ganga broke its 200-year High Flood Level record due to water volumes from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and the Terai region of Nepal.
Choudhary explained that water released from Nepal, combined with discharge from other states, caused the Ganga to block and water to backflow. He cited the Odhni Dam in Banka district as an example of economic potential, where a private contractor offered to pay the government Rs 60 crore to undertake dredging.
The Chief Minister also mentioned assistance for farmers whose fields are covered by sand and silt. Under the new policy linked with disaster management, the state provides Rs 20,000 per two hectares directly to farmers to help excavate the deposited material.