Engineers Must Ensure Canal Water Reaches Every Field, Says Bihar Minister Vijay Chaudhary

Patna: In a bid to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and ensure timely water supply to farmers, Bihar’s Water Resources Department held a state-level review meeting in Patna on Monday under the chairmanship of Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Senior departmental officials, engineers, and advisors attended the meeting, which aimed to assess the progress of key irrigation schemes and reinforce accountability within the department.

The meeting began with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by the minister and Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall, followed by opening remarks from Valmi Governing Council Advisory Chairman Ishwar Chandra Thakur. A comprehensive review was conducted on the physical and financial progress of various irrigation projects, canal water supply status, land acquisition challenges, and field inspections.

Minister Chaudhary stressed the importance of direct interaction with officials to address ground-level issues, stating that “face-to-face meetings improve communication and will help expedite progress.” He reiterated that ensuring smooth water flow to every farm and village remains the department’s core duty, describing irrigation as the “backbone of the agricultural economy.” He warned that any lapses in canal flow would lead to personal accountability and directed all site inspections to be carried out thoroughly before the upcoming irrigation season.

In a stern message, the minister instructed Chief Engineers to take punitive action against contractors showing negligence or compromising quality. “Disciplinary action is non-negotiable when public welfare is at stake,” he said.

Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall reported that 37 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity have been created in Bihar, with the goal of utilising it fully. He directed officials to submit detailed canal-wise inspection plans within a week and warned of stringent action in cases of flooding or embankment failure. Responsibility in such cases, he said, would extend to Executive, Assistant, and Chief Engineers alike.

Irrigation progress across key regions — including Siwan, Motihari, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, Bihar Sharif, Gaya, Aurangabad, and Dehri — was also reviewed in dedicated sessions. Technical Advisor Ravindra Kumar Shankar delivered the vote of thanks, concluding the meeting.

Present at the review were senior officials including Additional Secretaries Naveen and Pawan Kumar Sinha, Chief Engineers Sharad Kumar, Awadhesh Kumar, and Brajesh Mohan, along with engineers from field projects and technical teams. Officers provided updates on implementation and shared challenges in achieving full irrigation coverage.