Key Highlights
- Demand for early approval and central assistance for pending irrigation and flood-management projects announced in the Union Budget, including the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Linking Project.
- Request to include the Indrapuri Reservoir Project, Sone-Falgu River Linking Project and Phase-I of the Saran District Flood Control and Drainage Project in the Union Budget 2026-27.
- Appeal for a National Sediment Management Policy and dedicated fund to find a permanent solution to problems caused by the Farakka Barrage, the India-Bangladesh water treaty, changes in river flow and recurring floods.
- Request to expedite surveys and preparation of DPRs for pending Nepal-linked projects, including the Kosi High Dam, Kamla Dam and Bagmati Dam.
Patna, Sept 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Sunday and held detailed discussions on major water resources, irrigation and flood-management projects concerning Bihar, their progress and the state's future action plan.
Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary was also present at the meeting. The discussions covered the current status of projects announced for Bihar in the Union Budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26, pending approvals and upcoming projects.
The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that the Union Budget 2024-25 had announced financial assistance for several major irrigation and water-resource projects in Bihar, including the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Linking Project, estimated to cost Rs 11,500 crore.
Under the initiative, the Bihar Government has submitted DPRs for projects worth Rs 16,339.18 crore to the Central Government, but only two projects have received approval so far.
Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project
The Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Linking Project received particular attention during the meeting.
The ambitious project, estimated to cost approximately Rs 3,652.56 crore, aims to make better use of surplus water from the Kosi basin and expand irrigation facilities in north Bihar.
For Phase-I of the project, Rs 395.41 crore was provided in financial year 2025-26 and Rs 570 crore in 2026-27, taking the total provision to Rs 965.41 crore. However, only Rs 156.745 crore has been received so far.
The Chief Minister requested that the remaining funds for Phase-I be released at the earliest and that the DPR for Phase-II be approved.
Sikrahana Embankment Construction Project
Choudhary also raised the issue of the Sikrahana embankment construction project. The project, involving a central share of Rs 125.08 crore, has already been recommended by the concerned Central committee.
The meeting discussed expediting the release of central assistance for the project.
The status of other projects proposed under the Union Budget 2024-25 was also reviewed. These include three irrigation projects with an estimated cost of Rs 5,951.45 crore and 15 flood-management projects estimated at Rs 3,896.14 crore, which are currently under consideration at various levels of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Western Kosi Canal Project
Progress of the Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) of the Western Kosi Canal Project, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, was also reviewed.
The Bihar Government has submitted a DPR worth Rs 8,338.89 crore to the Central Water Commission.
While awaiting central assistance, the state government has already started work on Phase-I using its own resources at an estimated cost of Rs 3,484.24 crore.
The Chief Minister requested early approval of the project and release of central financial assistance.
Greater Central Support for Flood Management
Choudhary also emphasised the need to increase budgetary allocations for Bihar under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP).
He said Bihar is among the most flood-affected states in the country, with nearly 73 per cent of its geographical area vulnerable to floods. Large populations are affected every year due to rivers such as the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak and Bagmati.
Given the state's vulnerability, he stressed that Bihar requires greater central assistance for flood management.
Three Major Projects Proposed for Union Budget 2026-27
The Chief Minister also requested that three major Bihar projects be included in the upcoming Union Budget 2026-27.
The first is the Indrapuri Reservoir Project, which is expected to provide long-term stability to the Sone Canal system. Following the signing of the MoU between Bihar and Jharkhand over Sone River water sharing, the way has now been cleared for taking this project forward.
The second is the Sone-Falgu River Linking Project, under which Sone River water would be transported to the Falgu River through pipelines and canals.
The project is expected to provide adequate water for irrigation, drinking water and industrial use in drought-prone areas of Gaya and Aurangabad districts. It would also help ensure water availability in the Falgu River throughout the year.
The third is the Saran District Flood Control and Drainage Project (Phase-I), estimated to cost Rs 1,350.95 crore.
The project includes renovation of major drainage channels, construction of new regulators and other structural works. It is expected to reduce the impact of floods in the Saran region, protect agricultural land and benefit the proposed Sonpur International Airport, Aerocity and surrounding urban areas.
Ganga Flood Control Commission Headquarters in Patna
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of locating the headquarters of the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) in Patna.
He said Bihar is the most flood-affected state in the Ganga basin and that having the commission's headquarters in Patna would facilitate effective monitoring and quicker decision-making.
The meeting also discussed the renewal of the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty and Bihar's interests.
Choudhary said Bihar has been facing the problem of sediment or silt accumulation and challenges related to water availability for a long time. He called for the formulation of a National Sediment Management Policy and adequate water availability keeping in mind Bihar's irrigation, drinking water and industrial requirements.
Pending Projects Linked to Nepal
Pending projects involving Nepal were also discussed.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to expedite projects such as the Kosi High Dam, Kamla Multipurpose Project and Bagmati Dam Project.
He requested that Bihar's representatives be adequately involved through the Joint Project Office (JPO) and that the process of preparing DPRs be accelerated.
Completion of these projects would provide relief to north Bihar from floods, expand irrigation facilities and create new opportunities for hydropower generation.
The Chief Minister said the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continues to give priority to Bihar's development.
He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments would accelerate all major irrigation and flood-control projects in Bihar, benefiting farmers, rural areas and the state's overall economy.
