Know the facts about Mahananda Basin Project (MBP) to benefit Seemanchal

The much-talked about Mahananda Basin Project (MBP) is presently undergoing through the official formalities to be fulfilled by various departments of Central government. It's a pleasing fact that the people of Seemanchal region residing in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia and Araria would be directly benefited by the ambitious project, which came into picture around 10 years ago in 2006. However, the project has been delayed due to many reasons. Below is the brief about the Mahananda Basin Project, which would provide a better picture to the common people residing in Seemanchal region of Bihar along with its benefits.

                                          Brief Summary of Mahanada Basin Project (MBP)

· The proposed project will be developed by Water Resources Department Government of Bihar, Bihar and project falls under (Engineer In Chief (HQ), Water Resources Department Government of Bihar, Sinchai Bhawan, Patna, Bihar.

· The proposed Irrigation Project of Kosi-Mechi Intrastate Link Project (CCA 214812 Ha) is for providing irrigation facilities in four districts (Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and

Katihar) of Bihar.

· It is proposed to construct New canal of length 76.20 km on the existing constructed barrage on river Kosi beyond the existing eastern main Kosi main canal (41.30 km) to irrigate 2,10,516 ha command area with a total water requirement of 2050.15 MCM for irrigation in Kharif season.

· The aim of extension of Eastern koci Main Canal (EKMC) upto Mechi river is mainly to provide irrigation benefits to the water scarce Mahananda basin command in the districts of Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea and Katihar during kharif season depending upon the pondage available in Hanuman Nagar barrage

· The proposed link canal traverses towards Lat. 260 14′ 27″ N & Long. 87º 22' 00" to Lat. 26º 21' 47"N & Long. 870 57′ 23″ E. The link canal forms its northern boundary while river Parman and river Mahananda form the western and eastern boundaries. In south it is spread upto river Ganga.

· The water available at Hanuman Nagar barrage will be diverted through link canal to Mahananda basin and for enroute utilization. In this entire length of the canal, 14 syphon aqueduct, 9 canal syphon, 9 cross regulator, 28 head regulator, 9 pipe culverts and 42 road bridges and 3 escape are required to be constructed.

· The capital cost of proposed project is estimated as Rs. 4900.00 crore.