The long wait of six decades of the people of Darbhanga is finally over. In Darbhanga district too, now the water of Kosi river has reached for irrigation through canals. Sanjay Kumar Jha, Minister of Water Resources and Information and Public Relations, Government of Bihar, on Thursday inaugurated Shrirampur distributary in a departmental program organized at Nehra village under Manigachi block of the district and himself raised the sluice gate and let water flow into the canal.
Irrigation was not done through canals in Darbhanga district: Sanjay Jha
Sanjay Kumar Jha said in the meeting organized on the occasion of the inauguration that when I became the Water Resources Minister, during the review of irrigation facilities in Bihar, it was found that there is not even an inch of land in Darbhanga district where irrigation is done through canals. Then we resolved to complete the ambitious Western Kosi Canal Project pending for six decades and provide irrigation facilities through canals in Darbhanga district as well.
Irrigation water reached Darbhanga district for the first time through canals
Sanjay Kumar Jha said that the preparation of DPR for the Western Kosi Canal Project started in the year 1962. In the year 1972, the work of this scheme also started and in the year 2023, irrigation water through canals reached Darbhanga district for the first time through this scheme. The water released from the Kosi Barrage located at Veerpur (Supaul) on the Nepal border into the West Kosi Canal has reached Shrirampur distributary from the last end of the Sakri branch canal filling the canals in Madhubani district.
The project started 61 years ago
Sanjay Kumar Jha said that no one from the district had demanded from us that irrigation should be arranged here through canals, but we took a pledge to provide canal irrigation water to Darbhanga district and such a project started coming on the ground. Which started 61 years ago i.e. before we were born.
Irrigation water will be provided to every farm in Bihar by the year 2025: Sanjay Jha
Sanjay Kumar Jha said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has decided that by the year 2025, irrigation water will be provided to every farm in Bihar. According to the determination of the Chief Minister, the Water Resources Department is working diligently for the expansion of irrigation facilities in Darbhanga district. When irrigation facilities will be available in Darbhanga district in a systematic manner, the income of the farmers here will increase. Also, many people of the region will not need to go to Punjab-Haryana for livelihood.
employment will be generated
Sanjay Kumar Jha said that if a road is built on the dam on one side of Shrirampur distribution, then an alternative route will be found for the large area and people will reach the NH without getting stuck in the jam. The officials of the department have been asked to plan for this. Due to the construction of the road, the people of the villages falling in the area will also run shops etc. on its side, due to which many people will get employment.
People should vote only on the work of leaders: Sanjay Jha
Sanjay Kumar Jha said that we are constantly engaged in working. The public should also remember the work of the leaders while voting. If the public starts voting after taking account of the work, then the leader will be forced to work. On this occasion, Ishwar Chandra Thakur, Engineer-in-Chief of Irrigation and several senior officers of the Water Resources Department and JDU’s Darbhanga District President Mr. Gopal Mandal and State General Secretary Mr. Rajkumar Jha, along with many leaders of the Grand Alliance were present.
What is Shrirampur distribution
Sakri branch originates from the last end of the canal (from VD 145.44) under Shrirampur distributary Western Kosi Canal Project. The total length of this canal is 8 kilometers and its command area is about 2600 hectares. The design discharge of the canal is 67.94 cusecs. This will benefit the farmers of Nehra, Ghunsi, Ramnagar, Harpur, Havibhauar, Laxmanpur, Pactol, Baigni, Dharoda etc. villages under Manigachi and Benipur block of Darbhanga district.