Kosi–Mechi Interlinking Project – A Gamechanger for North Bihar

Kosi–Mechi Interlinking Project – A Gamechanger for North Bihar

Approval & Funding

  • Approved under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY–AIBP).

  • Estimated Cost: ₹6,282.32 crore.

  • Central Assistance: ₹3,652.56 crore.

  • Target Completion: March 2029.

Purpose & Benefits

  • Diverts 2,050 million cubic metres of surplus water from Kosi River to Mechi River during monsoon.

  • Aims to manage floods and enhance irrigation in North Bihar.

Scope of Work

  • Reconstruction of 41.30 km of the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC).

  • Extension of EKMC by 117.50 km to connect with the Mechi River.

Beneficiary Districts

  • Araria

  • Purnea

  • Kishanganj

  • Katihar

  • Madhepura

Irrigation Impact

  • New coverage: 2,10,516 hectares of additional annual irrigation (mainly in Kharif season).

  • Restoration: Supply to 1.57 lakh hectares in existing EKMC command area.

About PMKSY

  • Launched in 2015-16 to expand irrigation coverage, improve water use efficiency, and promote sustainable water conservation practices.

  • PMKSY–AIBP focuses on creating irrigation potential through major and medium irrigation projects.

  • As of now, 63 projects completed since April 2016, creating 26.11 lakh hectares of additional irrigation capacity.

  • Kosi–Mechi project is the 10th project added under PMKSY–AIBP since PMKSY 2.0 (2021–26).