Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inspected the under-construction Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project in Supaul and directed officials to complete the ₹6,282.32-crore project within the stipulated timeline while maintaining construction quality.
Irrigation for 2.14 Lakh Hectares
The project aims to provide assured irrigation to 2,14,813 hectares of agricultural land across Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar. It will divert excess water from the Kosi River through a link canal to the Mechi River.
The project will provide additional irrigation facilities to 69,642 hectares in Araria, 69,970 hectares in Purnea, 39,548 hectares in Kishanganj and 35,653 hectares in Katihar.
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Canal Capacity to Increase
The Eastern Kosi Main Canal’s water-carrying capacity will be increased from 15,000 cusecs to 20,000 cusecs. Four branch canals, six distributaries and other canal systems will also be constructed.
The project is targeted for completion by March 2029.
Focus on Flood Management
At the tail end of the project, around 950 cusecs of water will be discharged into the Mechi River. This is expected to improve water availability in the Mahananda basin and help reduce the impact of floods in the Kosi region.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed construction progress and directed officials to ensure that the work does not cause inconvenience to farmers. He also ordered continuous monitoring to maintain speed and quality.
Wider Irrigation and Development Push
Choudhary directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for managing the Kosi and Gandak rivers and develop water structures to maintain water availability in smaller rivers throughout the year.
The government has also approved 11,000 additional private tubewells under the Har Khet Tak Sinchai Ka Paani scheme. With these additions, the state aims to reach 46,000 private tubewells, providing irrigation support to around 2.30 lakh hectares.
Other approved measures include canal restoration, cattle breed improvement, a Buxar-Bhagalpur six-lane greenfield road, new cooperative sugar mills, fisheries cooperatives, warehouse capacity expansion and an AI ecosystem for Bihar.
The Kosi-Mechi project is expected to strengthen irrigation, support agricultural production and improve water management across Seemanchal.
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