By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: An important meeting took place in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, alongside Ms Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Conservation. Principal Secretary of the Bihar Water Resources Department, Santosh Kumar Mall, and other senior officials attended the meeting. The discussions focused on Bihar’s river linking scheme, silt issues, and flood management.
The meeting reviewed measures for effectively implementing various schemes under the flood management programme and reducing flood-related damages. Santosh Kumar Mall stated that the meeting is a significant step towards strengthening water resources management in Bihar.
The Kosi-Mechi Link Project was the first topic of detailed discussion. This project is crucial not only for flood control but also for irrigation and water supply. The progress and challenges faced in the implementation of the project were examined, with discussions on necessary steps for its timely completion. The Indrapuri Reservoir Scheme and the Tilaiya-Dhadhar Diversion Scheme were also reviewed.
These schemes focus on water storage, distribution, and the proper management of reservoirs to improve services for all beneficiaries. Additionally, the determination of environmental flow in the Ganga River was a key issue. Emphasis was placed on strictly implementing environmental flow standards to maintain the river’s continuous flow and ensure its conservation.
Special attention was given to ensuring the environmental flow of the Ganga River to maintain its uninterrupted flow. A comprehensive silt management policy was also discussed, highlighting the need for a scientific approach to control silt problems in Bihar rivers and manage them effectively. Concrete measures to remove silt and prevent its reaccumulation were considered.
The meeting raised the issue of including officials from the Bihar Water Resources Department in the Joint Project Office to ensure the state government’s active participation in water resources management projects. Additionally, discussions were held on proposed water transfer and diversion projects in Nepal, which are significant for regional water resources management. It was noted that this year’s influx of water from Nepal into the Kosi Veerpur Barrage and the Gandak Valmiki Nagar Barrage had led to a flood situation.
