Bihar's Project to link Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga & Kosi-Mechi Ecologically Destructive

The two river interlinking project DPRs finalized are for Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga project and Kosi-Mechi project. It is claimed that the second project will create irrigation potential of 2.5 lakh hectares. This is ecologically destructive.

Burhi-Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga link is proposed at a massive cost of Rs.407 crore.

It is relevant to note what Expert Committee on the impacts of Interlining of Rivers (ILR) by the Govt of Bihar (2003) states: “The canals, however, specially the Kosi-Mechi and Kosi-Ghaghra are more or less contour canals, and pass through cutting many rivulets and rivers. Flow of water straight from Nepal to Bihar will be partially obstructed causing drainage congestion in Nepal, and may, in case of the pressure on the link canal, cause breaches which may be affecting the territory of Nepal and Bihar lower down in some cases.” (Chap-IV-16/17)

As per government of Bihar, Kosi-Mechi link canal entails a 112.55 km. long canal that will mainly pass through the "Terai" area in Nepal. It will start from the left side of Chatra barrage and fall into Mechi river after crossing over three small rivers Bakra, Ratuwa and Kankai through syphon aqueduct. The canal's receiving capacity will be 1407.80 cubic metre per second (cumec) and discharge rate will be 97.64 cumec. The canal would provide irrigational facility to 4.74 lakh hectares of land. Out of this, 1.75 lakh hectares shall be irrigated in Nepal and 2.99 lakh hectares in Bihar. Besides this, provision of 24 MCM water has been made for domestic and industrial requirements of the towns falling in between. As proposed, it would divert 883 MCM water at the rate of 28 cumec to Mechi river for increasing the water in Mahananda river. The canal would also provide navigational facility from Chatra to Ganga via Mechi and Mahananda rivers.