Cabinet Sanctions ₹6,282 Crore for Kosi Mechi Link Project in Bihar under PMKSY
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Synopsis
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar, with a budget of ₹6,282 crore under PMKSY-AIBP. This initiative aims to enhance irrigation across various districts by linking the Kosi and Mechi rivers.
Key Takeaways
- Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project approved.
- Central funding of Rs. 3,652.56 crore.
- Expected completion by March 2029.
- Additional 210,516 hectares of irrigation potential.
- Supports Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts.
New Delhi, March 28 (NationPress) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has officially approved the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).
The CCEA has allocated a central funding of Rs. 3,652.56 crore for the project, which is expected to be completed by March 2029, with a total estimated cost of Rs 6,282.32 crore.
The Link Project is designed to channel a portion of the surplus water from the Kosi River to enhance irrigation in the Mahananda Basin in Bihar. This will be achieved by remodeling the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) and extending it from its tail end at RD 41.30 km to the Mechi River at RD 117.50 km, effectively linking the Kosi and Mechi rivers within the state.
According to the CCEA, this project will facilitate an additional 210,516 hectares of irrigation annually during the Kharif season across the districts of Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar.
The initiative has the capacity to divert approximately 2,050 million cubic meters of surplus water from the Kosi via the new link canal.
Moreover, the remodeling of the existing EKMC aims to restore supply deficiencies affecting 1.57 lakh hectares of the current command area of the EKMC.
Launched in 2015-16, the PMKSY aims to improve water accessibility for agriculture and expand the area under assured irrigation, while promoting efficient water use and sustainable conservation practices.
The central government sanctioned the implementation of PMKSY for the period of 2021-26, with a total funding of Rs 93,068.56 crore (with Central assistance of Rs 37,454 crore).
The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of PMKSY, managed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focuses on creating irrigation potential through major and medium projects.
As of now, 63 projects have been completed under PMKSY-AIBP, resulting in an additional irrigation potential of 26.11 lakh hectares since April 2016.
