New Delhi, March 28 (IANS). The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the inclusion of Kosi Matchi Inter-State Link Project of Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Agricultural Irrigation Scheme-Printed Irrigation Benefits Program (PMKSY-AIBP).
The CCEA has also approved central assistance of Rs 3,652.56 crore to Bihar to complete the estimated cost of Rs 6,282.32 crore by March 2029.
Under this scheme, through the reconstruction of the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC), a plan has been planned to expand the surplus water of the Kosi river for expansion of irrigation in the Mahananda Basin located in Bihar and EKMC has been planned to expand the RD 41.30 km beyond its last end to RD 117.50 km to the RD 117.50 km, which causes Bihar to expand the RD 117.50 km, which causes Bihar to flow from Bihar to the RD Can be added together.
According to the CCEA, the link project will make additional annual irrigation of 2,10,516 hectares of 2,10,516 hectares in Kharif season in Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar.
Kosi has the ability to divert/use about 2,050 million cubic meters surplus water through the proposed link canal in this project.
Additionally, remodeling of existing EKMC will remove the water supply shortage in the current command of 1.57 lakh hectares.
The Pradhan Mantri Agricultural Irrigation Scheme (PMKSY) was launched during the year 2015-16, which aims to increase water access to fields and expand arable area under assured irrigation, improve water use efficiency in the fields, implement permanent water conservation practices.
The central government has approved the implementation of PMKSY with a overall outlay of Rs 93,068.56 crore (Rs 37,454 crore) during 2021-26.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Program (AIBP) is a major component of PMKSY and increases the country’s irrigation capacity through moderate irrigation projects.
So far 63 projects have been completed under PMKSY-AIBP and an additional irrigation capacity of 26.11 lakh hectares has been created from April 2016.
-IANS
ABS/
