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Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Bihar Minister Sheela Mandal holds Karyakarta Darbar

Patna: Bihar Minister Sheela Mandal held Karyakarta Darbar at JD(U) office in Patna on November 3, 2026.

Phtoto: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Discussion on Farakka Water Treaty held in Bhagalpur under Nitish Samvad programme

Patna: A discussion on Farakka Water Treaty was organised in Bhagalpur by JD(U) under Nitish Samvad programme on November 3, 2026.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Dinara MLA Alok Kumar Singh inaugurates water cooler fridge at Shramjeevi Patrakar Union office

Patna: Dinara MLA Alok Kumar Singh inaugurated a water cooler fridge at Shramjeevi Patrakar Union office in Patna on November 3, 2026.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar Signs MoU with Centre to Remove River Silt and Use It in Highway Construction

Patna: In the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, the Government of India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Bihar Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the ‘Nadi Sanjeevani’ programme to remove silt from rivers and other water bodies and utilise it for construction purposes in New Delhi on November 3, 2026.

The historic agreement aims to scientifically manage the silt accumulated in Bihar’s rivers and other water bodies, rejuvenate rivers by removing deposited silt, and use the extracted material in the construction of national highways and other roads.

Under the arrangement, silt removed from rivers will be used as an alternative construction material for road projects. Wherever the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) requires silt, the Bihar Government will assist in providing mining licences in accordance with the prescribed rules. The initiative is also expected to improve the water-holding capacity and flow of rivers.

The agreement has been signed under the Bihar Water Resources Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026, which aims to achieve ‘deeper rivers, stronger roads and a prosperous Bihar’. Using river silt will reduce the extraction of natural topsoil and help improve river ecosystems.

Currently, 39 NHAI projects covering a total length of 1,561 km, involving an investment of Rs 58,340 crore, are under construction in Bihar. Another 11 projects, covering 1,982 km and estimated to cost Rs 1,85,200 crore, have been proposed.

Under the MoU, 24.3 million cubic metres of freely available silt will be used in 16 ongoing highway projects. Meanwhile, 29 new bridges are under construction over various rivers to strengthen regional connectivity.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for their support in making the agreement possible.

Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said that silt removal from Bihar’s rivers would be undertaken under the ‘Nadi Sanjeevani’ programme, following the successful Buldhana model implemented in Maharashtra. He said the initiative would help rejuvenate rivers and promote water conservation.

He further stated that the project would impose no financial burden on the Bihar Government and that the Centre would not take any money from the state. Removing silt from rivers would improve their water-holding capacity and flow, help ensure water availability for agricultural irrigation and reduce the damage caused by annual floods in Bihar.

He added that the initiative would strengthen the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Speaking about the programme, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said Bihar was the first state in the country to formulate a separate policy for silt management. Through the Bihar Water Resources Restoration and Silt Policy, 2026, the state would ensure better management of silt accumulated in its rivers and other water bodies.

He said Bihar’s two major challenges – its large population and uncontrolled water flow – could now become drivers of development. The silt extracted from rivers would prove to be a valuable resource for the state and strengthen its economy.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Bihar faces severe floods every year due to heavy rainfall in Nepal and the inflow of water from neighbouring states. He also highlighted the serious problem of silt accumulation in the Ganga due to the Farakka Barrage.

Removing silt and rejuvenating rivers would help reduce the impact of floods and improve water management, he said.

The extracted silt will be used in the construction of national highways and other roads. Wherever NHAI requires the material, the Bihar Government will facilitate the granting of mining licences in accordance with the rules.

This will turn river silt into a useful resource, while also accelerating road construction and supporting infrastructure development across the state.