New Delhi/Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Monday to review the progress of major water-resource, irrigation and flood-management projects in the state and seek faster approvals and release of central funds.
Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary was also present at the meeting.
The discussions covered projects announced for Bihar in the Union Budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26, pending approvals and projects proposed for inclusion in the Union Budget for 2026-27.
Kosi-Mechi project gets special focus
A major focus of the meeting was the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project, which aims to use surplus water from the Kosi basin to expand irrigation in North Bihar.
The project has an estimated cost of Rs 3,652.56 crore. The first phase has an allocation of Rs 965.41 crore, including Rs 395.41 crore for 2025-26 and Rs 570 crore for 2026-27.
However, only Rs 156.745 crore has so far been received. Chaudhary urged the Centre to release the remaining funds for the first phase and approve the Detailed Project Report for the second phase.
The Bihar government has submitted DPRs worth Rs 16,339.18 crore for projects covered by financial assistance announced in the 2024-25 Union Budget, although only two projects have received approval so far.
Western Kosi Canal project also reviewed
The meeting also reviewed the Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) of the Western Kosi Canal Project, announced in the 2025-26 Union Budget.
Bihar has submitted an Rs 8,338.89-crore DPR to the Central Water Commission. In anticipation of central assistance, the state has already begun work on the first phase, estimated to cost Rs 3,484.24 crore, using its own resources.
The chief minister sought early approval of the project and central financial assistance.
The state also raised the issue of the Sikrahana Right Embankment construction scheme, for which a central share of Rs 125.08 crore has already been recommended by the relevant central committee.
Bihar seeks greater flood-management funding
Chaudhary also called for increased allocations for Bihar under the Flood Management and Border Area Programme (FMBAP).
He highlighted Bihar’s vulnerability to floods, stating that around 73% of the state’s geographical area is susceptible to flooding, with large populations affected annually by rivers including the Ganga, Kosi and Bagmati.
The state has also proposed three major projects for inclusion in the Union Budget 2026-27.
These include the Indrapuri Reservoir Project, aimed at providing long-term stability to the Sone canal system; the Sone-Phalgu River Link Project, which would transfer Sone water to the Phalgu through pipelines and canals; and Phase I of the Saran district flood-control and drainage project, estimated at Rs 1,350.95 crore.
The Sone-Phalgu project is intended to provide irrigation, drinking water and industrial water to drought-prone areas of Gaya and Aurangabad, while also helping maintain year-round water availability in the Phalgu River.
The Saran project proposes renovation of major drainage channels, construction of new regulators and other structural works. It is also expected to protect agricultural land and support the proposed Sonpur International Airport and Aerocity and surrounding urban areas.
Bihar seeks to retain Ganga Flood Control Commission headquarters in Patna
Chaudhary also raised the issue of retaining the headquarters of the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) in Patna.
He argued that Bihar is among the states most severely affected by flooding within the Ganga basin and that keeping the Commission’s headquarters in Patna would facilitate monitoring and faster decision-making.
The meeting also discussed the renewal of the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty and Bihar’s interests in the process.
The chief minister highlighted the state’s long-standing problems related to siltation and water availability and called for a national silt-management policy. He also sought adequate water supplies for Bihar’s irrigation, drinking-water and industrial requirements.
Nepal-linked projects discussed
Pending projects involving Nepal were also reviewed. Chaudhary called for faster progress on the Kosi High Dam, Kamala Multipurpose Project and Bagmati Dam Project.
He sought greater participation of Bihar’s representatives in the Joint Project Office (JPO) and urged that work on preparing the DPRs for the projects be expedited.
The state government has sought faster movement on these projects with the broader objective of improving flood management and irrigation facilities, particularly in North Bihar.
