Reference:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the inclusion of Bihar's Koshi-Mechi Inter-State Link Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Key Points:

• Objective: To divert surplus water from the Koshi River to the Mahananda Basin for irrigation by reconstructing the existing Eastern Koshi Main Canal (EKMC).
• Cost: Total estimated cost of ₹6,282.32 crore, with central financial assistance of ₹3,652.56 crore.
• Timeline: Targeted for completion by March 2029.

Water Management & Irrigation:

• The Koshi-Mechi Inter-State Link Project involves reconstructing and extending the existing EKMC from RD 41.30 km to RD 117.50 km up to the Mechi River, linking the Koshi and Mechi Rivers within Bihar.
• Expected to provide additional annual irrigation to 2,10,516 hectares during the Kharif season in Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts.
• Capacity to divert/utilize approximately 2,050 million cubic meters of surplus water from the Koshi River.
• Will address water supply shortages in the existing 1.57 lakh hectare EKMC command area post-reconstruction.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):

• Launched: During 2015-16.
• A centrally sponsored scheme with a Centre-State funding ratio of 75:25 (90:10 for NE and hilly states).
• Objective: "Har Khet Ko Pani" (Water to Every Field), enhancing irrigation efficiency for higher crop yield and optimal water resource use.
• Approved outlay of ₹93,068.56 crore (₹37,454 crore central assistance) for 2021-26.
• Under PMKSY-AIBP, 63 projects have been completed, creating 26.11 lakh hectares of additional irrigation capacity since April 2016.
• Nine projects included under PMKSY 2.0 (AIBP component) from 2012-22; the Koshi-Mechi project is the tenth addition.

Koshi-Mechi Inter-State Link Project:

•  A major irrigation and water management project in Bihar under PMKSY-AIBP.
• Aims to expand irrigation facilities and control floods by linking the Koshi and Mechi Rivers.
• Part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP) under the River Linking Mission, managed by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
• Second-largest inter-river linking project in India after Ken-Betwa.

Primary Objectives:

• Divert surplus Koshi water to drought-prone areas in the Mahananda Basin.
• Provide irrigation to 2,10,516 hectares in four Bihar districts during Kharif.
• Improve water supply via EKMC reconstruction and extension.

Canal Construction:

• Reconstruction of 41.30 km of EKMC, extending it to 117.50 km to link with the Mechi River.
• Utilization of 2,050 million cubic meters of additional water.

Beneficiary Areas:

• Districts: Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar.
• Blocks: 16 blocks including Forbesganj, Sikti, Baisa, Kadwa, and Tetaria.
• Land: Improved water supply to 1.57 lakh hectares in the existing command area.