Bihar Seeks Central Approval for Rs 6,650 Crore Flood Control Projects

New Delhi: The Bihar government has sought immediate approval for flood control schemes worth Rs. 6,650.33 crore to address the state’s recurring flood crises. Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Wednesday and handed over a formal letter requesting swift action on the proposed projects. Accompanying him was Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U)’s acting national president, Rajya Sabha MP, and member of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources.

The request builds on an announcement in the Union Budget 2024-25, where Sitharaman stated, “Bihar has always been highly affected by the floods of rivers originating outside the country, and no progress has been made in constructing flood-control structures in the Nepal region. The central government will provide Rs. 11,500 crore for flood management, barrage construction, and irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and other resources.”

Highlighting the devastating floods that struck Bihar this year, Choudhary detailed how unprecedented rainfall in Nepal between September 27 and 30 caused record-breaking water levels in major rivers, including the Gandak, Bagmati, Koshi, and Mahananda. He noted that floodwaters breached embankments over long stretches, revealing vulnerabilities in the existing infrastructure.

Choudhary attributed the rising threat of floods to climate change, which has led to increased rainfall in Nepal, and the continuous silt deposition in rivers that elevates riverbeds, reducing water storage capacity. “The previously built embankment systems on these rivers are no longer completely safe,” he stated, adding that future floods could pose even greater risks without immediate intervention.

In the letter, Choudhary stressed the need for urgent upgrades, widening, and strengthening of existing embankments to safeguard lives and property. He revealed that the state government has already submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth Rs. 2,147.58 crore under the River Management in Border Areas (RMBA) program and Rs. 4,502.75 crore under the Flood Management Program (FMP) to the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The Water Resources Minister urged the Union Finance Minister to instruct the relevant authorities to approve the proposed Rs. 6,650.33 crore projects as the first phase under the Rs. 11,500 crore commitment announced in the budget. He emphasized that timely approval would allow these crucial schemes to be implemented without delay, strengthening Bihar’s flood management infrastructure.