Gayaji: The Bihar government has given approval to a Rs 24.21 crore project to expand the dam upstream of the Bataspur Weir in Bodhgaya, Gayaji district. Deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary said the project will help protect four panchayats, including Bataspur, from floods and improve irrigation in the area.
The decision was taken after floods in 2024 damaged crops and roads in Bataspur Panchayat and nearby areas. Heavy rains had caused the Morhar River to overflow, leading the district administration to recommend extending the dam in the south direction for better flood control.
Currently, the Bataspur Weir has 800-metre-long efflux dams on both sides. The new work will add a 1,540-metre dam on the right side and a 1,517-metre dam on the left side, designed to match the existing structure and stop river overflow.
The project is expected to be completed by October 2026. Officials say it will reduce flood risks and ensure better water supply for farmlands in the region.
