Bihar State Cabinet Greenlights Nine Water Resource Schemes to Boost Infrastructure and Agriculture

Patna: In a meeting of the State Cabinet meeting by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday, the Water Resources Department (WRD) gained approval for nine critical schemes, including the riverfront development at the right bank of the revived old stream of Ganga river in Bakhtiyarpur, restoration of the Eastern Link Canal under the Son Canal System, and associated lining work.

As per a statement issued by the WRD, Chief Minister (CM) Nitish has taken a proactive stance in revitalizing the old stream of Ganga river in Bakhtiyarpur. Following this endeavor, he has directed the initiation of permanent protection work along the riverfront development. This move aims to facilitate the bathing and religious rituals of numerous devotees during festivals, such as Chhath, hailing from various nearby blocks. Additionally, it will serve as a preventive measure against erosion during periods of high water flow in the Ganga river, further bolstering Bakhtiyarpur’s flood defenses. The estimated budget for this scheme stands at Rs 56.06 crore.

Under another ambitious initiative within the WRD, rehabilitation and lining work will be carried out along the Eastern Link Canal, spanning a total length of 10.20 km, as part of the Son Canal System. This project is expected to enhance drainage capabilities in the Patna Main Canal and East Son High-Level Canal, ensuring water supply to the furthest reaches of the eastern canal systems. A direct benefit will be realized across 1,539 hectares of agricultural command area, while an indirect benefit will extend to 164,102 hectares of command area, benefiting farmers in several districts, including Patna, Aurangabad, Gaya, and Arwal. The estimated budget for this scheme is Rs 235.24 crore.

Historically, the region saw the construction of an anicut (weir) near Dehri on the Son river in 1873-74. This was accompanied by the development of Patna Main Canal on the eastern side, Western Main Canal on the western side, and their associated distribution systems. Over time, the need for modernization became apparent, leading to the construction of the Indrapuri Barrage upstream of this site in 1967-68, connecting the Patna Main Canal and Western Main Canal through link canals. Subsequently, the Eastern and Western Son High-Level Canals were established under the Son Canal Modernization Scheme. The recent rehabilitation and lining work on the Western Link Canal have greatly improved irrigation facilities in Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar, and Bhojpur districts. Now, a similar transformation is on the horizon for the Eastern Link Canal.

Upon the completion of the rehabilitation and lining work on the Eastern Link Canal, it will streamline drainage for the Patna Main Canal and East Son High-Level Canal, ensuring water supply to the furthest reaches of the eastern distribution systems. Furthermore, plans include the construction of a bituminous service path along 7.46 km of the Eastern Link Canal for ease of inspection and local access.