Bihar Government Announces Four Major Water Infrastructure Projects
In a significant development for water resource management, the Bihar government has outlined four milestone projects aimed at enhancing irrigation capacity and ensuring reliable drinking water supply across the state. Water Resources Department Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary made this announcement during a session in the legislative assembly on Thursday, highlighting how these initiatives have become feasible following the resolution of a protracted inter-state water dispute.
Resolution of 25-Year Sone River Water Sharing Dispute
The minister emphasized that two crucial reservoir projects specifically became viable after Bihar and Jharkhand settled a long-standing water sharing conflict over the Sone river. This dispute, which lasted for a quarter of a century, was finally resolved during the Eastern Zonal Council meeting held on July 10 last year. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, marking a pivotal moment for regional water cooperation.
"The resolution of the dispute took 25 years, and was finally accomplished last year in July. As per the agreement, Bihar will receive 5.5 million acre feet of water released from the Vansagar dam, while Jharkhand will get 2 million acre feet," Choudhary stated, describing this outcome as a "milestone achievement" for the state.
Key Projects and Modifications
During the debate on the budgetary demand of Rs 7,127 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27, the minister provided detailed insights into the projects:
- The Kadwan reservoir project has been reconfigured and renamed as the Indrapuri reservoir. Its construction is now proceeding, thanks to the dispute resolution.
- The earlier Telaiya-Dhagar project has been restructured into the Dhagar reservoir project, which will exclusively serve Bihar's irrigation needs.
- A new initiative will lift Sone river water from Indrapuri to supply drinking water to Dehri, Sasaram, and Kaimur district, mirroring the successful model used for lifting surplus Ganga water from Mokama to serve Rajgir, Gaya Ji, and Nawada.
- The Kosi-Mechi river linking project is also underway, designed to benefit the districts of Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, and Katihar while simultaneously mitigating flood risks.
Historical Context and Structural Integrity
Choudhary provided historical background, noting that under a 1973 agreement involving Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar following the construction of the Vansagar dam, Bihar was originally allocated 7.5 million acre feet of water. However, after Jharkhand was carved out as a separate state in 2000, it claimed 2.5 million acre feet, sparking the lengthy dispute.
In the legislative council, the minister also addressed concerns about aging infrastructure, assuring that the Kosi, Gandak, and Sone barrages, despite being over six decades old, remain structurally sound. "Despite the record water flow last year, the barrages functioned without any problem. Nevertheless, the government is conducting a thorough inspection of all their components to ensure ongoing safety and efficiency," he affirmed.
Additional Considerations and Future Plans
Responding to other queries, Choudhary discussed the proposal for a 'Janaki Pauri' at Simaria Dham, explaining that the shifting flow of the Ganga river in that area makes it impractical to implement a model similar to the one in Haridwar. This highlights the nuanced challenges in water management projects across different geographical contexts.
The announcement underscores Bihar's strategic focus on leveraging resolved disputes to advance critical water infrastructure, promising enhanced agricultural productivity and improved access to clean drinking water for millions of residents.
