Patna: Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday directed officials to complete the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project within the stipulated deadline while ensuring quality standards, with the project scheduled for completion by March 2029.During an inspection at Chainpur village under Chhatapur block in Supaul district, Choudhary instructed officials to ensure that construction work does not hinder farming activities. The visit was aimed at reviewing the project’s progress and expediting execution of the water management scheme.Describing the Kosi-Mechi link as a flagship green project, Choudhary said it would divert surplus water from the Kosi river to the Mechi river, expand irrigation facilities in the Seemanchal region and boost farmers’ prosperity through improved water management. He said the state govt was committed to ensuring optimal utilisation of Kosi’s surplus water and supplying it to farmlands in Seemanchal.The project is expected to provide assured irrigation to 2,14,813 hectares of agricultural land. During floods, surplus Kosi water will be channelled into the Mechi river through the link canal, increasing water availability in the Mahananda basin while helping mitigate the impact of floods and improving water resource management.Additional irrigation facilities will be created for 69,642 hectares in Araria, 69,970 hectares in Purnia, 39,548 hectares in Kishanganj and 35,653 hectares in Katihar. The carrying capacity of the Eastern Kosi Main Canal will be enhanced from 15,000 cusecs to 20,000 cusecs.The project also includes expansion of the main canal, construction of four branch canals, six distributaries and other required canal networks. At the tail end of the project, around 950 cusecs of water will flow into the Mechi river. The estimated project cost is Rs 6,282.32 crore.Choudhary also directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for streamlining the Kosi and Gandak river systems. He said dams and other water structures should be developed to ensure year-round water availability in smaller rivers as well.The chief minister asked officials to formulate a long-term strategy for conservation and management of water resources and ensure close monitoring of all project-related work for timely completion and quality execution.Following the inspection, Choudhary reviewed the project’s progress at the camp office in Chainpur. Water resources department secretary Chandra Shekhar Singh briefed him on the status of the project, while Supaul district magistrate Sawan Kumar gave a presentation on the progress of construction work.
