Patna: In a bid to boost irrigation capacity in the villages of Gaya and Aurangabad districts of the Magadh division, Chief secretary (CS) Pratyaya Amrit, held a high-level review meeting with the senior officials of Gaya and Aurangabad on Monday. At the meeting, the CS directed the officials to expedite work on the North Koel Reservoir Project, emphasising strict adherence to timelines and improved resource deployment to ensure completion of pending works.
At a high-level review meeting held on Monday, the CS assessed the progress of the project, which has an estimated cost of Rs.1,367.61 crore. The discussion focused on the current status and future roadmap of the long-pending irrigation scheme.
Officials informed at the meeting that physical work on the right main canal has reached 55.04%, with an additional 4.11% progress recorded over the past 13 days. Overall physical progress of the project stands at 29.97%.
Work is going on across multiple packages, including earthwork, canal structures and lining between packages three and 11. Construction of key structures, including gates and hoisting systems at designated canal points, is also underway.
The availability of resources was also reviewed, with 571 personnel currently deployed at the site along with machinery such as excavators, dumpers and lining pavers. The CS stressed the need to augment both manpower and equipment to avoid any slowdown in execution.
Land acquisition in Aurangabad and Gaya districts is in its final stages. In Aurangabad, most of the required 41.251 hectares has already been acquired, with a deadline of April 30 this year set for completion of the remaining process. Officials said similar efforts are underway in Gaya to meet the target.
The CS instructed district authorities to ensure that all pending land acquisition cases are resolved within the stipulated deadline. He also called for strict monitoring of construction quality, directing senior officials to conduct regular site visits.
He further asked departments to fast-track pending tenders and technical evaluations related to the distribution system, warning that delays could affect water delivery to the command areas.
With the monsoon approaching, the state government is seeking to maximise progress on the project, which is expected to significantly boost irrigation capacity in the region once completed.
