Patna. Work will start on about half a dozen river interlinking schemes to improve irrigation facilities and ground water level in the state. The work of “Bagmati-Santidhar-Budhi Gandak River Linking” project in Bihar is likely to be completed this year. In the “Bagmati-Shantidhar-Budhi Gandak river link” prepared by the Water Resources Department, the water of Bagmati river will be brought through Shantidhar originating near Ghoghraha of Kalyanpur block of Samastipur district. Also, it will be mixed in Budhi Gandak river near Trimuhani village of Khanpur block of Samastipur.
There is a plan to connect these rivers
Under the leadership of Water Resources Department Minister of Bihar Government, Sanjay Jha, the department has prepared a plan to link half a dozen rivers, Kosi-Mechi Link Scheme, Bagmati-Santidhar-Budhi Gandak River Linking, Gandak-Chhadi-Daha-Ghaghra. Link Scheme, Falgu-Paimar Link Scheme, Gandak-Mahi-Ganga Link Scheme, Sakri-Nata Scheme and Trishula-Balan Link Scheme are prominently included. Apart from these schemes, work is going on on three river interlinking scheme in Bihar. In such a situation, irrigation facilities are going to increase in more than a dozen districts of Bihar.
Rs 120.96 crore will be spent on the scheme
This scheme will directly benefit the large population of Darbhanga and Samastipur districts. Besides, irrigation facility will also be available in Shivhar and Sitamarhi districts and the development of the area will get a new impetus. This will provide relief to the residents of Bahedi and Hayaghat of Darbhanga district and Kalyanpur, Warisnagar, Khanpur, Rosra and Singhia blocks of Samastipur district from floods as well as improve the ground water level of this area. Besides, irrigation facility will be available in about 39 thousand 350 hectare area.
Kosi-Mechi Link Scheme
Under this scheme, water from East Kosi main canal in Araria district will be mixed with Mechi river in Kishanganj district. Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar districts will benefit from this. To include it in the national project, the funding pattern of 60 percent central share, 30 percent central loan and 10 percent state share has been agreed. However, it has not received approval from the central government. For this, the state government has requested the Center for approval several times. With the completion of this scheme, along with providing irrigation facilities to more than two lakh 15 thousand hectare areas of Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar districts, it will also provide relief from floods.
Gandak-Mahi-Ganga Link Scheme
Gandak-Mahi-Ganga river linking scheme will prove to be a boon for Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran districts. In this scheme, a total of 170 km long link channel will be constructed starting from Gandak River near Hirapakad in Gopalganj district to Ganga River near Hasilpur in Saran district. This scheme will be helpful in reducing the impact of floods of Gandak River. It has been approved by the Cabinet on June 27, 2023.
Sakri-nata scheme
There is a plan to take the water of Sakri river to Nata river in Nawada district by making a canal from Sakri river between Kauakol and Nawada in the state and connecting Ahar-Pin. With this scheme, irrigation facility will be available in about 68 thousand 808 hectares of Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura and Jamui districts.