The Centre has included the Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana–Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), with central assistance of ₹3,652.56 crore for the balance cost of works. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2029.
According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the project has a remaining cost of ₹6,143.22 crore, while the remodelling of the Eastern Kosi Main Canal from kilometre 0.00 to 41.30 has been awarded at a contract value of ₹2,639.80 crore. The Ministry said 8.5 per cent physical progress has been achieved so far.
The government also informed Parliament that India remains engaged in regular dialogue with Nepal on the construction of dams on the Kosi River for mutual benefits, including flood management.
A Joint Project Office (JPO-SKSKI), constituted in 2003, is preparing the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Sapta Kosi Multipurpose Project and the Sun-Kosi Kamla Diversion Multipurpose Project.
For the Sapta Kosi Multipurpose Project, the government said topographical surveys, construction material surveys, water quality surveys, hydrological and seismological studies, drilling, communication surveys and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) studies have been completed.
Similarly, for the Sun-Kosi Kamla Diversion Multipurpose Project, topographical surveys, water quality surveys, hydrological and seismological studies, drilling, communication surveys and GLOF studies have also been completed.
The Ministry informed that no meeting of the Indo-Nepal Joint Committee was held during 2025-26.
On flood management, the Centre said it released ₹206.77 crore to the Government of Bihar under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme during the last three years.
The government also clarified that no proposal for establishing a permanent Kosi-Gandak Basin Authority is currently under consideration.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
