The Government of India has given a significant push to agricultural infrastructure in Bihar by approving the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project. This ambitious initiative, sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), aims to transfer surplus water from the Kosi River to the Mechi River. The project is designed to tackle the twin challenges of providing assured irrigation and mitigating the perennial flood risks associated with the Kosi river basin.
The total project cost is ₹6,282.32 crore, with a substantial Central Share of ₹3,652.56 crore.
The project has a defined completion deadline set for March 2029.
Upon completion, it will provide irrigation facilities to a massive area of 2.15 lakh hectares.
The project was formally included under PMKSY-AIBP by the CCEA on 28th March 2025.
The project involves significant engineering works centered around the existing canal infrastructure to ensure water reaches the targeted Seemanchal region.
- Scope of Work: Remodelling of the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) from RD 0.00 km to RD 41.30 km.
- Canal Extension: Extending the EKMC beyond its tail end (RD 41.30 km) up to the Mechi River at RD 117.50 km.
- Beneficiary Districts: The project will directly benefit farmers in four key districts of Bihar: Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar.
This information was provided by Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The project is positioned as the second major river interlinking project in Bihar (following the Burhi Gandak-Noon project) and is critical for the economic upliftment of the flood-prone Seemanchal area.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB) - Ministry of Jal Shakti Date: 24 JUL 2025
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