Rs 6,143 crore Kosi-Mechi link project approved

The Union Government approved the Kosi-Mechi intra-state link project in Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana’s Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). The project has an estimated balance cost of Rs 6,143.22 crore and a target completion date of March 2029.

Kosi-Mechi River Link Project

The project is a river interlinking scheme within Bihar. It aims to divert surplus water from the Kosi River to the Mechi River in the Mahananda basin. The project is linked with irrigation expansion and flood management in north-eastern Bihar. The central government is providing more than 50 per cent financial assistance for the project. Some official estimates place the total project cost at Rs 6,282.32 crore, with central assistance of Rs 3,652.56 crore.

Major Components and Coverage

The project includes remodelling of the Eastern Kosi main canal from kilometre 0 to 41.30. The awarded contract value for this work is Rs 2,639.80 crore, and physical progress has reached 8.5 per cent. On completion, the project is expected to provide irrigation to an additional 2.15 lakh hectares of agricultural land. The beneficiary districts are Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj and Katihar.

Flood Control and Indo-Nepal Context

The Kosi River is a transboundary river system associated with flood-prone plains in Bihar and Nepal. The Government of India has held regular dialogue with the Government of Nepal on dam construction on the Kosi River for flood control and related benefits. A Joint Project Office, JPO-SKSKI, was constituted in 2003 for the Sapta-Kosi multipurpose project and the Sun-Kosi Kamla diversion multipurpose project. Surveys for these projects have been completed in different phases.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana was launched to expand irrigation coverage and improve water-use efficiency in agriculture.
• The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme is a component of PMKSY for funding major and medium irrigation projects.
• The Kosi River is known for heavy silt load and frequent course changes in the Gangetic plains.
• The Mahananda basin covers parts of Bihar and West Bengal and receives water from several Himalayan river systems.

Related Administrative and Financial Facts

The Centre released Rs 206.77 crore to Bihar under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme over the last three years. No meeting of the Indo-Nepal joint committee was held during 2025-26.