Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Monday urged the Centre to expedite approval of Bihar’s pending irrigation and flood management projects announced in the Union Budget and sought early release of central assistance.During a meeting with Union Jal Shakti minister C R Patil in New Delhi, Samrat also sought the inclusion of the Indrapuri reservoir project, Sone-Falgu river link project and Saran district flood control and drainage project (phase-1) in the Union Budget 2026-27.The meeting, attended by deputy CM-cum-water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, reviewed the progress, pending approvals and future course of action for key water resources, irrigation and flood management schemes.Samrat said Bihar had submitted DPRs for projects worth Rs 16,339 crore to the Centre under schemes announced in the Union Budgets of 2024-25 and 2025-26, but only two projects had received approval.The Kosi-Mechi interstate river link project, estimated at Rs 3,652 crore, was discussed in detail. Bihar has received Rs 156 crore so far against the Rs 965 crore allocated for its first phase. Samrat sought release of the remaining amount and approval of the DPR for the second phase.He said the Indrapuri reservoir project would provide long-term stability to the Son canal system, while the recent water-sharing agreement between Bihar and Jharkhand had cleared the way for its progress.The proposed Son-Falgu river link would carry water from the Sone to the Falgu through pipelines and canals, benefiting drought-hit areas of Gaya and Aurangabad with irrigation, drinking water and industrial supply.The Saran flood control and drainage project, estimated at Rs 1,350 crore, includes renovation of major drainage channels and construction of regulators and other structures. It is expected to protect agricultural land and reduce flooding.Samrat also sought a national silt management policy and a dedicated fund to address Ganga siltation and related flood problems. He pressed for retaining the Ganga Flood Control Commission headquarters in Patna and faster action on Nepal-related projects, including the Kosi High Dam, Kamla multipurpose project and Bagmati dam project.
