Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday (August 31, 2026) urged Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil to accelerate water resource, irrigation, and flood management projects concerning Bihar.
Accompanied by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary in Delhi, the CM informed Mr. Patil that the Union Budget 2024-25 had announced financial assistance for several schemes in the irrigation and water resources sector for Bihar, including the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project (costing ₹11,500 crore).
He added, Bihar government had submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth ₹16,339.18 crore to the Central Government; however, only two projects have received approval so far.
The Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project, valued at approximately ₹3,652.56 crore, will help to expand irrigation facilities in North Bihar by making better use of the surplus water from the Kosi basin.
Provisions totalling ₹965.41 crore have been made for the project’s first phase—₹395.41 crore for the 2025-26 financial year and ₹570 crore for 2026-27.
However, only ₹156.745 crore has been received so far. Mr. Choudhary urged the early release of the remaining funds for the first phase and the approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the second phase.
He also raised the issue of the early release of the funds for Sikrahana Right Embankment construction scheme, in which the central share is ₹125.08 crore.
The status of other schemes proposed under the Union Budget 2024-25 was reviewed which includes three irrigation projects with an estimated cost of ₹5,951.45 crore and 15 flood management projects with an estimated cost of ₹3,896.14 crore, all of which are currently under consideration at various levels within the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Progress on the Extension, Renovation, and Modernisation (ERM) of the Western Kosi Canal Project—announced in the Union Budget 2025-26—was also reviewed. The Bihar government has submitted a DPR worth ₹8,338.89 crore for this project to the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Anticipating central assistance, the state government has already commenced work on the first phase, costing ₹3,484.24 crore, using its own resources. The Chief Minister requested early approval for the project and the provision of central financial assistance.
He emphasised the need to increase the budgetary allocation for Bihar under the ongoing Flood Management and Border Area Programme (FMBAP) for flood control. Mr. Choudhary said that Bihar is one of the most flood-prone states in the country and approximately 73% of its geographical area and a large population are affected annually by rivers such as the Ganga, Kosi, and Bagmati.
A request was also made to include three major projects for Bihar in the upcoming Union Budget (2026-27), which include Indrapuri Reservoir Project, Sone-Phalgu River Link Project and Flood Control and Drainage Project (Phase-1) for Saran district.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of retaining the headquarters of the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) in Patna and the renewal of the India-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty and Bihar’s interests.
Raising the problem of siltation and challenges related to water availability, he urged the formulation of a national silt management policy and called for ensuring adequate water availability to meet Bihar’s irrigation, drinking water, and industrial needs.
Mr. Choudhary emphasised the need to expedite the Kosi High Dam, Kamala Multipurpose Project, and Bagmati Dam Project. He requested ensuring the participation of Bihar’s representatives in the Joint Project Office (JPO) and accelerating the process of preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
“The completion of these projects would provide North Bihar with relief from floods, expand irrigation facilities, and create new opportunities for hydroelectric power generation,”Mr. Choudhary said.
Published – September 01, 2026 02:20 am IST
