**Summary:**
On March 28, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the inclusion of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSYA-AIBP) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The project, slated for completion by March 2029, involves remodelling the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) from RD 0.00 km to RD 41.30 km and extending it to the Mechi River at RD 117.50 km. The total estimated cost is ₹6,282.32 crore, with a Central Share of ₹3,652.56 crore. Upon completion, the project is expected to provide irrigation to 2.15 lakh hectares across Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts of Bihar and contribute to flood mitigation. This information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. Release ID: 2147820.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Kosi Mechi Intra State Link Project: A river interlinking project within the state of Bihar.
Bihar: The state in India where the Kosi Mechi Intra State Link Project is located.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs: Committee of the Indian cabinet that approved the project inclusion.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme: A government scheme focused on irrigation and water management.
Eastern Kosi Main Canal: An existing canal that will be remodelled as part of the project.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where a question about the project was answered.
Raj Bhushan Choudhary: Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided information on the project.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
KOSI-MECHI RIVER LINK PROJECT
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 5:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-
State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Accelerated Irrigation
th
Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) of Ministry of Jal Shakti, on 28 March, 2025. The project
envisages remodelling of existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) from RD 0.00 km to RD 41.30
km and extending the EKMC beyond its tail end at RD 41.30 km up to river Mechi at RD 117.50 km.
The timeline for completion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project is March, 2029.
The total estimated cost of the project is ₹6,282.32 crore with Central Share of ₹3,652.56 crore. Upon
completion, the project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to a total of 2.15 lakh hectare area in Araria,
Purnea, Kishanganj & Katihar districts of Bihar. In addition, the project will also contribute to flood
mitigation.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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MAM/SMP
(Lok Sabha US Q863)
(Release ID: 2147820)