The Bihar government has taken a major initiative to carry out modern irrigation management and flood control in the state as the cabinet has given its nod to Rs 4415 crore project for water security and modernisation of irrigation.
The state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Friday approved the Water Resources Department’s proposal to carry out a World Bank backed “Bihar Water Security and Irrigation Modernization Project” (BWSIMP).
The proposed project aims to enhance irrigation efficiency, build institutional capacity, and improve flood risk management. It would help in creating capacity building and preparedness to tackle disaster and emergency situations.
Besides, the project would promote stakeholders’ coordination which would boost economic and social welfare. This is a major initiative that includes taking steps for building necessary institutional capacity, stakeholders’ capacity, efficient irrigation system, flood risk reduction and drought prevention.
Districts affected by floods, waterlogging, and drought across the state will be prioritized. It would help in regulating excess water flow of major rivers to mitigate the risk of floods. The project would include measures such as strengthening dams using modern technology and restoring depleted irrigation capacity for drought hit districts.
The proposed project is externally funded entailing an estimated cost of Rs 4,415 crore. Of this, 30 per cent (Rs 1324.50 crore) will be borne by the Bihar government while the remaining 70 per cent (Rs 3090.50 crore) will be a loan from the World Bank (IBRD).
It has four main components with Rs 2,487 crore will be spent on climate-resilient irrigation while Rs 1,525 crore will be spent on flood risk reduction, Rs 243 crore for water governance and Rs 160 crore for project management.
The various works to be carried out under different components will be implemented by Water Resources Department (as the nodal department) along with the departments of Rural Development and Agriculture. The project is scheduled to commence in the current financial year 2025–26 and will be completed over a period of seven years.
Irrigation Systems Upgraded & Modernised
Upgradation and modernisation of key irrigation systems are proposed under the project to reduce the dependency on rainfall and ensure farmers get irrigation facility even in adverse conditions.
Major initiatives include the rehabilitation of the Son, Gandak and Kosi barrages, modernisation of Son Western Main Canal, rehabilitation and modernisation of Western Kosi irrigation systems, rehabilitation and modernisation of Jhanjharpur Branch Canal and renovation and lining of Saran Main Canal (between 17 km and 35 km).
Flood Risk Minimised Under The Project
The project also includes the rehabilitation and strengthening of embankments and spurs identified for flood risk reduction. It would use advanced design technologies in association with World Bank consultants for rehabilitation and modernisation.
Under the project, the key initiatives that have to be undertaken includes- elevation, strengthening and paving of left embankment of the Bagmati river, anti-erosion work from Pathar-tola to Kamlakani in Kursela block in Katihar district, strengthening and paving of the extended Sikarhatta-Manjhari dam including renovation of its 11 spurs and renovation of 25 spurs of Eastern Kosi embankment.
