At first the rivers and the people were both unfettered. Then the politicians came between them

Criminals followed corrupt politicians into grabbing contracts related to earthworks. Today, they fund political parties and virtually run the state

Officials are now promoting a new paradigm for flood control. They are pushing for a huge dam in Nepal. Does it provide scope for further corruption?

• The embankments of Kamla Balan have been breached on several occasions. In 1963, when the river burst its embankments near Ramghat, it submerged villages such as Kharbar, Gangapur,

...and what they mean for...

It would be foolhardy to try and enslave the rivers of Bihar. The Ganga, the Kosi, the Baghmati, the Gandak and the Kamla Balan

In 1855, the British government decided to embank the Damodar river in order to prevent flooding. With the construction of watertight embankments on the Damodar, the flood control picture started

Corruption is not confined to earthworks and flood control measures alone. It is all over and all embracing. Many politicians today face charges of corruption in Bihar. The names of a few are given

The corrupt are blind to the plight of the poor and to the criminalisation of society

Jagadanand Singh , minister for water resources, Bihar, is a strong supporter of the theory that a dam should be built in Nepal to control the floods. He also feels that flood control measures undertaken in the state are