Patna: Bihar is set to get relief from the devastating floods that hit the state every year during the monsoon, with the central government approving a silt management policy for the Ganga, Kosi and other rivers. The decision was taken at the Eastern Regional Council meeting held in Ranchi on Thursday under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who represented Bihar in the meeting, said the policy would systematically manage silt deposits in the catchment areas of major rivers. He noted that the state suffers extensive damage each year due to the silt carried by rivers like the Ganga and Kosi.
The meeting also resolved a long-standing water-sharing issue between Bihar and Jharkhand under the Indrapuri Reservoir Bansagar Agreement. As per the agreement, Bihar will receive 5.75 million acre-feet (MAF) of water from the Karnakit Son River, while Jharkhand will get 2.00 MAF.
Samrat urged the central government to bear 100% of the expenditure on maintaining the continuity of the Ganga, which has been affected due to the Farakka Barrage, along with anti-erosion works on the Bihar-West Bengal border. He also called for a coordinated and comprehensive policy for water management of rivers coming from Nepal and other states.
The meeting further included positive discussions on issues such as border area development, inter-state coordination, and resolution of long-pending problems. Samrat said the joint efforts of the central government and states are giving fresh momentum to regional development, with concrete steps now being taken to address persistent challenges.
Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena also attended the meeting.
