Patna: Bihar’s chief secretary, Pratyaya Amrit, has set firm deadlines and warned of surprise inspections as he reviewed progress on three major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting irrigation, water conservation and connectivity across the state.
At a high-level meeting on Monday, Amrit assessed the North Koel Reservoir, the Mandai Weir and the Tajpur–Bakhtiyarpur greenfield road, describing them as critical to Bihar’s agricultural resilience and economic integration rather than routine construction works.
The North Koel Reservoir project, stalled for decades, is intended to provide irrigation to drought-prone parts of Gaya and Aurangabad districts. According to officials, the district magistrate of Gaya assured the chief secretary that substantial progress would be achieved by January 28. Amrit directed engineers to design the canal network so that it supports both Kharif and Rabi crops, ordered an increase in manpower where work is lagging, and sought weekly progress reports.
Concern was expressed over delays in the Mandai Weir project, which is being built on tributaries of the Falgu river. The scheme aims to conserve water, improve groundwater levels and revive the traditional Ahar-Pain irrigation system in Jehanabad and neighbouring areas. Amrit warned that slow progress could invite unannounced inspections, underscoring the project’s long-term benefits for water security.
By contrast, the chief secretary said he was satisfied with the pace of work on the 51.2km Tajpur–Bakhtiyarpur greenfield road, a corridor expected to cut travel time between north and south Bihar by nearly two hours. The road will directly link Samastipur with Patna and is seen as a catalyst for industrial development along its route. Officials said it would also help farmers in Vaishali and Samastipur transport produce more quickly to Patna’s markets. The public works department was instructed to ensure dense tree plantation along the highway.
Amrit also directed district magistrates and departmental secretaries to resolve land acquisition and forest clearance issues through closer inter-departmental coordination and to ensure timely compensation for landowners affected by the projects.
