September 12, 2025 8:39 AM.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil conducted an aerial survey of Bihar’s largest river-linking project-the Kosi-Mechi Link Project-and reviewed the progress of the river interlinking work. The Union Minister visited Supaul yesterday to assess the project’s status.
He said that the Central Government is committed to finding a permanent solution to Bihar’s flood problem. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Purnia, the Union Jal Shakti Minister reached Birpur and carried out an aerial survey of this ambitious project.
During the survey, the Union Minister, accompanied by Bihar’s Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, conducted an aerial inspection of the Kosi Barrage, the Kosi-Mechi Inter-State Link Project, the Western Kosi Canal, and the Bagmati embankment.
After the survey, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil said that several projects related to the Kosi are progressing, including the completion of various development works in Bihar.
Under the Kosi-Mechi Link Project, a more than 76-kilometre-long channel will be constructed. Once completed, the surplus water of the Kosi River will be diverted into the Mechi River.
This will not only help solve the flood problem but also provide irrigation facilities for 2.14 lakh hectares of land. The project will prove to be a boon for the districts of Supaul, Saharsa, Madhubani, Khagaria, and Katihar. Upon its completion, millions of families who face devastation from floods every year will get major relief.