The Bihar government is set to embark on an ambitious project to alleviate the perennial flood problem in the northern districts of the state by constructing barrages on several key rivers.
Water Resources Department Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary revealed the plans on Thursday, detailing how these structures will be crucial in flood mitigation efforts.
The proposed barrages will be located on the Gandak, Masan, Kamala, Kosi, and Mahananda rivers, which flow through the six districts bordering Nepal: East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj, Madhubani, and Supaul. Chaudhary announced that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these barrages are currently being finalised.
In addition to the barrages, the NDA government at the Centre has pledged financial support amounting to Rs 11,500 crore to tackle flood-related issues in Bihar.
This support comes as part of a broader strategy to address the state’s recurring flood problems, which have long been a significant challenge.
The specific plans include constructing barrages on the Gandak River at Areraj in East Champaran, on the Masan River in West Champaran, on the Bagmati River at Dheng in Sitamarhi, on the Kamala River at Jainagar in Madhubani, on the Kosi River at Dakmara in Supaul, and on the Mahananda River at Taiyabpur in Kishanganj.
The Kosi-Mechi inter-linking project, with an estimated cost of Rs 6,282.32 crore, is also set to proceed with central assistance. This project aims to enhance irrigation capabilities in the Seemanchal region.
Furthermore, the state’s plans to inter-link the Kamala-Purani Kamala-Bagmati and Burhi Gandak-None-Baya-Ganga rivers will receive a boost from the Centre’s flood management initiatives.
Chaudhary emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre and neighbouring states to manage the silt deposits that impede river flow and exacerbate flooding.
Historical context reveals that the idea of building high-level dams on these rivers was first proposed during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration in 2004, with India and Nepal agreeing to establish a joint project office in Biratnagar to prepare related DPRs.
However, progress was stalled due to unresolved issues with Nepal.
The Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has since decided to advance these projects within its jurisdiction.
Chaudhary highlighted the critical need for a national silt management policy to address the challenges posed by heavy silt deposits, which threaten the sustainability of the rivers.
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