Approve Bihar’s river linking project fast: Choudhary to Union min | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary on Thursday called on the Union minister for Jal Shakti CR Paatil and urged him to approve Bihar’s river linking project on a priority basis.
The development occurred at the 38th Annual General Meeting of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and the 22nd meeting of the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers in Delhi.
While meeting the Jal Shakti Minister, Choudhary told him about the status of the river-interlinking project and urged him to work on it fast. Stating that the Kosi-Mechi Link Project is crucial for flood management as well as irrigation, Choudhary stressed on the swift completion of the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposal, which has been pending with the NWDA.
“The Bihar govt has submitted all necessary data and facts for the approval of the executive DPR for the first phase. After its commencement, the approval process for the second phase of the DPR will begin,” he said.
He emphasized that at least the first phase, where no land acquisition is needed and the plan is to enhance the existing system, should be approved, and work should start as soon as possible.
“The funding for the Kosi-Mechi Link Project should be modelled on the line of the Ken-Betwa Link Project, and the central govt should promptly approve it in a 90:10 ratio,” Choudhary said, demanding the finalization and immediate implementation of the national silt management policy.
He added that the continuous and excessive silt accumulation in Bihar’s rivers has been affecting their flow and reducing their water retention capacity. “The proposed policy for silt management should include the suggestions of the Bihar govt. Furthermore, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) must consult the concerned states for any dredging work,” he suggested.
The development occurred at the 38th Annual General Meeting of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and the 22nd meeting of the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers in Delhi.
While meeting the Jal Shakti Minister, Choudhary told him about the status of the river-interlinking project and urged him to work on it fast. Stating that the Kosi-Mechi Link Project is crucial for flood management as well as irrigation, Choudhary stressed on the swift completion of the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposal, which has been pending with the NWDA.
“The Bihar govt has submitted all necessary data and facts for the approval of the executive DPR for the first phase. After its commencement, the approval process for the second phase of the DPR will begin,” he said.
He emphasized that at least the first phase, where no land acquisition is needed and the plan is to enhance the existing system, should be approved, and work should start as soon as possible.
“The funding for the Kosi-Mechi Link Project should be modelled on the line of the Ken-Betwa Link Project, and the central govt should promptly approve it in a 90:10 ratio,” Choudhary said, demanding the finalization and immediate implementation of the national silt management policy.
He added that the continuous and excessive silt accumulation in Bihar’s rivers has been affecting their flow and reducing their water retention capacity. “The proposed policy for silt management should include the suggestions of the Bihar govt. Furthermore, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) must consult the concerned states for any dredging work,” he suggested.
