Farakka Barrage is a barrage across the Ganges River, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, roughly 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi) from the border with Bangladesh near Chapai Nawabganj District. Construction was started in 1961 and completed in 1975 at a cost of 156.49 crore (US$25 million). Operations began on April 21, 1975. The barrage is about 2,240 metres (7,350 ft) long.