(a) whether Kosi irrigation system was heavily damaged by the breach of Eastern afflux
dam of Birpur Barrage due to floods in Kosi river in Bihar during 2007-08;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said irrigation system has been repaired; and
(d) if so, the extent to which irrigation is being undertaken during the last four
years and if not, the expenditure likely to be incurred on repairing the canal system and the time by which the irrigation is likely to be started?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES ( SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) Yes, sir. Breach in Eastern Afflux Bund of Kosi embankment, 12.10 Km to 12.90 Km at
Kusaha (Nepal), up stream of Kosi Barrage at Birpur occurred earlier on 18th August, 2008
causing damage to Kosi Irrigation System.
(b) Major portion of Eastern Kosi Canal System was damaged due to floods caused by the
breach as given below:
(i) Main canal: The canal breached at several places (45 places approx) totaling about
78 Km out of its total length of 41 KM. The canal also got silted up. A number of major
structures also required reconstruction/restoration.
(ii) Branch Canal: Breach occurred at different places in the branch canal, totaling
6.35 Km out of its total length of 108 Km. The Govt. of Bihar also reported need for minor
repair/restoration/renovation of around 434 structures on the branch canal.
(iii) Distributaries & sub distributaries: The Govt. of Bihar had reported breach at
several places in distributaries & sub distributaries totalling 32.5 Km. It had also
reported partial or full damages in about 425 structures on distributaries/ sub
distributaries.
(c) & (d) The Govt. of Bihar had framed a proposal for restoration of Eastern Kosi
Main Canal and distribution system. The latest estimated cost of this project, at 2008
price level, is Rs.750.75 crores which has been approved by TAC of MoWR in its 99th meeting
held on 24.08.2009. The Planning Commission had also approved the project in the year 2009
for the same amount. Accordingly, the Govt. of Bihar started restoration work in the year
2009-10. Till 31st March, 2012 an expenditure of Rs.313.921 crore (on works only has been
incurred.The work earlier scheduled to be completed by March, 2012 could not be completed
in time.The Govt. of Bihar has reported that they have approached Planning Commission for
obtaining time extension up to March 2013 for completing the restoration work. The annual
irrigation potential restored, so far, has been reported to be nil. However, the Govt.
of Bihar has fixed a target to restore irrigation potential of 7.355 lakh hectare (with
120% intensity of irrigation) by March, 2013.