Kosi Mechi Project Boosts Irrigation in Bihar Under PMKSY-AIBP

The Cabinet has approved Bihar's Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project under PMKSY-AIBP to improve irrigation and flood management, costing Rs. 6,282.32 crore. The project diverts Kosi River surplus to the Mahananda basin, enhancing irrigation across key districts by 2029, involving partnerships with Nepal.

The Cabinet has given the green light to the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar, placing it under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). This initiative aims to improve irrigation and manage floods effectively in the region.

Central to the project is the diversion of surplus water from the Kosi River to the Mahananda basin. Expected to cost Rs. 6,282.32 crore, the project involves remodelling the Eastern Kosi Main Canal in order to extend irrigation facilities, impacting over 2 lakh hectares of farmland in several districts.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted ongoing discussions with Nepal, emphasizing the anticipated impact on flood control. The initiative, part of the broader PMKSY-AIBP launched in 2015, continues to focus on major irrigation projects, aiming to expand water access for farmers across India.

(With inputs from agencies.)