The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) authorized the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project implementation under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). The Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project will advance through March 2029 while requiring Rs. 6,282.32 crore in funding and Rs. 3,652.56 crore from central assistance directed toward Bihar. Bihar will experience more efficient irrigation systems through the modernization of the Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) until the Mechi River receives its waters.
Project Overview:
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The Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project works with Kosi River surplus water to provide irrigation to the Mahananda basin region of Bihar.
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The project modifies 41.30 km of Eastern Kosi Main Canal before expanding it a total of 117.50 km until it reaches the Mechi River.
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The project succeeds in creating a linkage between the Kosi River and Mechi River throughout the geographical area of Bihar.
Irrigation Benefits:
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The irrigation system will establish supplemental Kharif season watering for 2,10,516 hectares of agricultural land.
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The Araria and Purnea districts and Kishanganj and Katihar districts make up the territories which will gain from the expanded irrigation system.
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The shortcoming water supplies within 1.57 lakh hectares of the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal command area will be normalized through this intervention.
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The Kosi water surplus amounting to 2,050 million cubic meters will divert through the monsoon period toward irrigation of the Mahananda command area.
Financial and Implementation Details:
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The overall investment for this development project amounts to Rs. 6,282.32 crore while the central authorities provide a portion of Rs. 3,652.56 crore.
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The project development timeline spans from the present until March 2029.
Background and Policy Framework:
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The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) started in 2015-16 as a scheme to boost irrigation coverage alongside water use efficiency and sustainable water management practices.
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The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) represents an essential portion of the PMKSY by harnessing major and medium irrigation projects for generating new irrigation potential.
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The Government of India approved PMKSY from 2021 to 2026 with a budget of Rs. 93,068.56 crore where Rs. 37,454 crore represented central assistance.
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PMKSY-AIBP has achieved completion of 63 projects since April 2016 which resulted in new irrigation potential reaching 26.11 lakh hectares.
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Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project represents the tenth project under AIBP’s second phase that started during 2021-22.
Conclusion
The implementation of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project under PMKSY-AIBP marks a critical enhancement in Bihar's irrigation infrastructure development. The project draws from Kosi River's excess water to both improve agricultural production and treat shortages affecting irrigation command areas. The central government's financial and technical support reveals their commitment to ensuring farmers' water security which will boost Bihar's rural development. After the successful implementation of this project India will have improved its irrigation capabilities and strengthened its food security measures.
