Patna, State Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha actively participated in the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and the 21st meeting of the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR) through a video conference on Thursday. Chaired by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the meeting focused on various river linking projects, with discussions on the Kosi-Mechi river linking project in Bihar.
Minister Jha highlighted Bihar’s dual challenge of floods in the north and droughts in the south, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive solution. The NWDA committed to providing the detailed project report (DPR) for the Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project by March 2024.
Jha proposed a funding pattern of 60% (central share), 30% (central loan), and 10% (state share) for the project, suggesting that the state’s share could be obtained as a loan from the World Bank. Stressing the project’s importance, he stated it would address flooding issues and provide irrigation facilities to 2.14 lakh hectares of land in bordering districts.
In addition, Minister Jha revealed the state government’s consideration of intralinking the Kosi (Bagmati)-Ganga and connecting Burhi Gandak-Ganga via Noon river. He sought approval for these projects under the Flood Management Programme (FMP).
Jha submitted proposals for accepting Bagmati Burhi Gandak (Belwa Dhar) and Bagmati-Burhi Gandak (Shanti Dhar) river linking schemes under FMP to the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC). He stressed the necessity of intralinking the Bagmati, Kamla, and Kosi Basin in north Bihar and Punpun, Kiul Harohar basin to control floods and expand irrigation areas.
As a stakeholder state in the Ganga river basin, Jha emphasized the importance of seeking Bihar’s opinion on plans prepared by upper riparian states. He called for the strengthening of the regional office of the NWDA in Patna to enhance coordination and decision-making.
