**Summary of Ongoing Irrigation Projects in Bihar (as of July 24, 2025)**
This document summarizes the status of ongoing mega irrigation projects in Bihar, based on a response provided to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 776 on July 24, 2025, by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
The Government of India's role in water resource projects is catalytic, providing technical support and partial financial assistance to select projects under ongoing schemes of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The planning, execution, funding, and maintenance of these projects are primarily the responsibility of the State Government of Bihar.
The following major ongoing irrigation projects in Bihar are detailed:
1. **Durgawati Reservoir Project (Kaimur and Rohtas Districts):** Receiving partial central funding of ₹176.26 Crore under PMKSYAIBP. The project is in the completion stage, with delays attributed to land acquisition issues in canal distributaries.
2. **Punpun Barrage Project (Aurangabad District):** Receiving partial central funding of ₹84.47 Crore under PMKSYAIBP. The project has been delayed due to land acquisition issues in canals.
3. **North Koel Project (Aurangabad and Gaya Districts):** Receiving partial central funding of ₹771.04 Crore under PMKSYAIBP. Delays are attributed to Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RR) issues in Jharkhand.
4. **Kosi Mechi Intra State Link Project (Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar Districts):** Receiving partial central funding under PMKSYAIBP, newly included in March 2025.
5. **Conversion of Kamla Weir into Barrage (Madhubani District):** Funded by the State Government of Bihar. Delays are reported due to land acquisition issues.
6. **Eastern Gandak Canal System Gandak Phase II Project (East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Samastipur Districts):** Funded by the State Government of Bihar. Delays are reported due to COVID-19, canal operation during Kharif Season, and land acquisition.
7. **Restoration of Western Gandak Canal System Saran Main Canal (Gopalganj, Siwan, and Saran Districts):** Funded by the State Government of Bihar. Delays are reported due to COVID-19, canal operation during Kharif Season and the addition of extra items. Restoration of Saran Canal is delayed due to addition extra items.
All central assistance is provided under the PMKSYAIBP scheme. Specific reasons for delays are as reported by the State Government of Bihar.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Bihar: A state in eastern India where the irrigation projects are located.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question about irrigation projects was raised.
Janardan Singh Sigriwal: Member of Parliament who raised the question about irrigation projects in Bihar.
Raj Bhushan Choudhary: Minister of State for Jal Shakti who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
PMKSYAIBP: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme; a scheme providing partial central funding to irrigation projects.
Durgawati Reservoir Project: An ongoing mega irrigation project located in Kaimur and Rohtas districts of Bihar.
North Koel Project: An ongoing mega irrigation project located in Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar and Jharkhand.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 776
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
ONGOING IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN BIHAR
776. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the details of ongoing mega irrigation projects in Bihar, location-wise;
(b) whether these projects have been delayed, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has made any efforts to provide more funds for completion of such projects on
time; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (d) Water resources projects are planned, executed, funded and maintained by the State
Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. Role of Government of India is limited
to being catalytic, extending technical support and providing partial financial assistance to a few identified
projects under the ongoing schemes of this Ministry.
The details of major ongoing irrigation projects in Bihar, including projects receiving partial
financial assistance under the schemes of this Ministry and those implemented by the State itself, are given
at Annexure, along with details of location, funds provided by Government of India and reasons for delay,
if any as reported by the State.
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1ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.
776 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING “ONGOING
IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN BIHAR”
S.No. Name of Project Location Funding Central Reason for delay, if any
(Districts) under Central assistance
Schemes released to
project (Rs.
in Crore)
1. Durgawati Kaimur and Partial central 176.26 The project is in completion
Reservoir Project Rohtas Funding under stage. Delay was due to land
PMKSY-AIBP acquisition issues in canal
distributaries
2. Punpun Barrage Aurangabad Partial central 84.47 Due to land acquisition issues
Project Funding under in canals, project has been
PMKSY-AIBP delayed
3. North Koel Project Aurangabad and Partial central 771.04 Delay due to R&R issues in
Gaya Funding under Jharkhand
PMKSY-AIBP
4. Kosi Mechi Intra- Araria, Purnea, Partial central - Newly included project in
State Link Project Kishanganj and Funding under PMKSY-AIBP in March 2025
Katihar PMKSY-AIBP
5. Conversion of Madhubani Funding by the - State reported delay due to
Kamla Weir into State Land Acquisition issues
Barrage Government
6. Eastern Gandak East Champaran, Funding by the - State reported delay due to
Canal System Muzaffarpur, State COVID-19, canal operation
(Gandak Phase- II) Vaishali Government during Kharif Season, land
Project &Samastipur acquisition.
7. Restoration of Gopalganj, Siwan Funding by the - State reported delay due to
Western Gandak & Saran State COVID-19, canal operation
Canal System Government during Kharif Season.
(Saran Main Canal Restoration of Saran Canal
delayed due to addition extra
items.
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