**Summary:**
The Kosi-Mechi River Link Project in Bihar has been approved for inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSYA-AIBP) by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on March 28, 2025. The project 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 project is slated for completion by March 2029, with a total estimated cost of ₹6,282.32 crore, including a central share of ₹3,652.56 crore. Upon completion, the project aims to provide irrigation to 2.15 lakh hectares of land across the Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts of Bihar, while also contributing to flood mitigation efforts in the region. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 863 on July 24, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and river development.
KosiMechi River Link Project: A river interlinking project aimed at connecting the Kosi and Mechi rivers.
Shri Ramprit Mandal: Member of Lok Sabha who asked the question regarding the KosiMechi River Link Project.
Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary: The Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided the answer to the question.
Bihar: The state in India where the Kosi Mechi Intra State Link Project is located.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs: A committee of the Indian government that approved the inclusion of the Kosi Mechi Intra State Link Project under PMKSYA-AIBP.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSYA-AIBP): A government program aimed at improving irrigation and water management in India, under which the Kosi Mechi project is included.
Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj Katihar districts of Bihar: The districts in Bihar that are expected to benefit from the irrigation facilities provided by the Kosi Mechi project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 863
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
KOSI-MECHI RIVER LINK PROJECT
†863. SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of the Kosi-Mechi River Link Project;
(b) the timeline set for the completion of the said project; and
(c) the details of the total funds to be spent thereon along with the benefits likely to be accrued therefrom?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) 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 Benefits
Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) of Ministry of Jal Shakti, on 28th 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.
(b) The timeline for completion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project is March, 2029.
(c) 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.
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