Ahead Of Bihar Polls, Modi Government Clears Rs 6,282 Crore Kosi-Mechi Link Project To Boost Irrigation In Four Districts

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has granted approval for the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar.

This project falls under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The project has been allocated Rs 3,652.56 crore in central assistance, with an overall estimated cost of Rs 6,282.32 crore. It is targeted for completion by March 2029.

This initiative is designed to divert surplus water from the Kosi River to the Mahananda basin in Bihar. 

The plan involves remodeling the Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) and extending it beyond its current endpoint at RD 41.30 km to RD 117.50 km, where it will connect with the Mechi River. 

By linking the Kosi and Mechi rivers, the project seeks to optimize water utilisation within the state.

Once operational, the project will facilitate irrigation for an additional 2,10,516 hectares during the Kharif season in the districts of Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar. 

It also aims to divert approximately 2,050 million cubic meters of surplus water from the Kosi River. Additionally, remodeling the EKMC will help restore irrigation for 1.57 lakh hectares of the existing command area that has been facing supply shortages.

Since April 2016, the PMKSY-AIBP initiative has successfully completed 63 projects, resulting in an additional irrigation capacity of 26.11 lakh hectares. 

Under PMKSY 2.0, introduced in 2022, nine projects have been integrated so far. With this latest addition, the Kosi-Mechi Link Project becomes the tenth project under the revised framework.

The timing of this approval coincides with Bihar’s upcoming legislative elections in 2025, highlighting a renewed governmental push for large-scale irrigation infrastructure in the state.

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