Question : FLOOD AND WATER LOGGING IN BIHAR

(a) whether most of the districts of Bihar are prone for floods and water logging;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the dams/embankments on river Koshi and Gandak have become unsafe;

(d) if so, whether Union Government has received proposals from State Government of Bihar for strengthening and repairs of these dams;

(e) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon; and

(f) the funds allocated and released for repair and maintenance of these dams to Bihar?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES(SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) has identified the flood prone districts in the country and as per the report GFCC, 15 districts of Bihar were identified as flood prone (Annexure-A).

(c) No, Sir.

(d) to(f) Government of Bihar had submitted a proposal for “Kosi Barrage Restoration Work” for repair and maintenance of the Kosi Barrage and its appurtenant structures in Nepal, which was approved by Advisory Committee (TAC) of Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) for an amount of Rs. 86.65 crore in its meeting held on 20.01.2009 and an amount of Rs. 18.63 crore has been released to the State Government of Bihar in April, 2009 for this work under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP).

Further,the Government of Bihar has submitted another proposal as Nepal Benefit Scheme (Gandak Project) for repair and maintenance of Main Western Canal,Don Branch Canal and Right Affux Bund, etc. of Gandak Barrage and its appurtenant structures. This scheme has also been approved by TAC of MOWR,Government of India for an amount of Rs.171.84 crore in its meeting held recently on 30.11.2009.

ANNEXURE-A REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9.12.2009 REGARDING FLOOD AND WATER LOGGING IN BIHAR BY SHRI UDAY SINGH, DR. SANJAY JAISWAL AND SHRI PURNMASI RAM.

List of Flood Prone Districts of Bihar

1. Sheohar 2. Sitamarhi

3. Darbhanga 4. Gopalganj

5. Saharsa 6. Muzaffarpur

7 Supaul 8. Madhubani

9. Katihar 10. Samastipur

11. Bhagalpur 12. Vaishali

13. East Champaran 14. Purnia

15. Araria