Bihar CM urges Union Minister of Jal Shakti to accelerate irrigation and flood control projects
Samrat Choudhary urged for the early approval and release of central assistance for pending irrigation and flood management projects announced in the Union Budget, including the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project.
On Monday, August 31, 2026, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary implored Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to speed up water resource, irrigation, and flood control initiatives aimed at Bihar. The CM was present in Delhi with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who informed Mr. Patil that the 2024-25 Union Budget had allocated financial aid for several irrigation and water resources schemes in Bihar, including the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project, which cost ₹11,500 crore.
The CM disclosed that Bihar had submitted DPRs worth ₹16,339.18 crore to the Central Government, yet only two projects have secured approval thus far. The Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project, valued at around ₹3,652.56 crore, aims to enhance irrigation in North Bihar by utilizing the surplus water from the Kosi basin. So far, only ₹156.745 crore of the ₹965.41 crore allocated for the first phase's provisions has been received.
The CM urged for the swift release of the remaining funds for the first phase and the approval of the DPR for the second phase. He also raised concerns about the early release of funds for the Sikrahana Right Embankment scheme, with a central share of ₹125.08 crore, and other schemes proposed under the 2024-25 Union Budget, such as three irrigation projects worth ₹5,951.45 crore and 15 flood management projects worth ₹3,896.14 crore, which are currently under review within the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The ERM of the Western Kosi Canal Project, announced in the 2025-26 Union Budget, was also reviewed, with the Bihar government submitting a DPR worth ₹8,338.89 crore to the Central Water Commission (CWC).
The Chief Minister emphasized the urgency of increasing Bihar's budget allocation under the ongoing Flood Management and Border Area Programme (FMBAP) for flood control. Bihar, one of the most flood-prone states in India, faces severe repercussions annually due to the Ganga, Kosi, and Bagmati rivers affecting approximately 73% of its geographical area and a significant portion of its population.
The CM also requested the inclusion of three major projects – Indrapuri Reservoir Project, Sone-Phalgu River Link Project, and Flood Control and Drainage Project (Phase-1) for Saran district – in the upcoming Union Budget (2026-27).
Choudhary also addressed the retention of the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) headquarters in Patna, the renewal of the India-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty, and Bihar's interests. He stressed the need to formulate a national silt management policy and ensure adequate water availability for Bihar's irrigation, drinking water, and industrial requirements.
The CM emphasized the importance of expediting the Kosi High Dam, Kamala Multipurpose Project, and Bagmati Dam Project, requesting involvement of Bihar's representatives in the Joint Project Office (JPO) and accelerating the DPR preparation process.
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