Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted an inspection of the ongoing Kosi-Mechi Inter-State River Link Project on August 19, 2026. Located in Chainpur village within the Chhatapur block of Supaul district, the Chief Minister urged officials to ensure the project’s timely completion while adhering to quality standards. This irrigation project, valued at Rs 6,282.32 crore, aims to deliver assured irrigation across 2,14,813 hectares of farmland in the Seemanchal region.

The project will specifically enhance irrigation for 69,642 hectares in Araria, 69,970 hectares in Purnea, 39,548 hectares in Kishanganj, and 35,653 hectares in Katihar. A key component involves diverting surplus water from the Kosi River via a link canal to the Mechi River. The projected completion date for this substantial undertaking is March 2029.

Project Features and Objectives

The Kosi-Mechi project will augment the water-carrying capacity of the Eastern Kosi Main Canal from 15,000 cusecs to 20,000 cusecs. Additionally, it involves the construction of four branch canals, six distributaries, and other necessary canal systems. Upon completion, approximately 950 cusecs of water will be discharged into the Mechi River, contributing to increased water availability in the Mahananda basin.

This initiative is anticipated to alleviate flooding issues in the Kosi region and improve overall water resource management. During the project inspection, Choudhary received updates on construction progress from Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Secretary of the Water Resources Department, and Sawan Kumar, the District Magistrate of Supaul.

The Chief Minister emphasised that construction activities must not disrupt local farming. He urged officials to ensure a swift, high-quality completion while implementing ongoing monitoring of all related works.

Government Initiatives to Enhance Irrigation and Development

In addition to the Kosi-Mechi project, the Bihar government has approved several important initiatives aimed at enhancing irrigation facilities and promoting economic growth. The cabinet has sanctioned the restoration of canal systems under the “Har Khet Tak Sinchai Ka Paani” scheme, which targets improving irrigation for farmers. This includes the restoration of the Janakinagar branch canal, estimated to cost Rs 30.35 crore, and the Katihar distributary, projected at around Rs 35.81 crore. Both projects are expected to be completed within two years.

Furthermore, the government has introduced the Animal Breed Improvement Scheme under the ‘Saat Nischay-3’ initiative, which will require an allocation of Rs 63.93 crore for the 2026-27 financial year, aimed at bolstering animal husbandry in Bihar. Plans for a six-lane greenfield expressway project from Buxar to Bhagalpur under a Public-Private Partnership model have also received approval.

The state will install 11,000 additional private tube wells as part of the “Har Khet Tak Sinchai Ka Paani” initiative, bringing the total to 46,000. This expansion is expected to provide irrigation to approximately 2.30 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding has been approved to foster an artificial intelligence ecosystem in Bihar.

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