Patna/ Madhubani, Jan 12 (Agency) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced to link rivers Kamla-Marne Kamla-Old Kamla-Jiwachh in Madhubani district to control floods of North Bihar and provide irrigation facilities in drought areas. Kumar, who reached Madhubani during the second phase of his Pragati Yatra on Sunday also announced the strengthening and expansion of the Bideshwar Sthan Sub canal and Ugranath branch Canal of Western Koshi Canal. Outlining the details of the interlinking of the rivers project, Kumar said that the old Kamladhaar Jiwachh river Jiwachh Kamla and old Kamla rivers would be revived under the project which will improve the irrigation facility and minimise the flood threats. He said that 36.05 lakh population of 92 villages of Madhubani and Darbhanga districts would be benefited. The project to be completed at an estimated expenditure of Rs 358.20 crore would provide irrigation facilities in 10000 hectares. Kumar said that prior to the construction of the right Kamla Balan embankment in 1987, the river Kamla flowed through the old Kamla- Marne Kamla. Since construction, the water flow in the subsidiary rivers has become negligible.
Even in the rainy seasons, scanty water was available in these rivers. The Chief Minister said that river Kamla and old Kamla would now be interlink with the Jiwachh river under the project. The interlinking of river project has been strategized to lift the extra water of Kamla Balan river in the drought areas and minimise the water pressure on its embankment during flood season. The extra water of the river during the flood would be diverted to save the people from flood menace. By discharging the extra water in the drought areas the agriculture land would be made more fertile and it would also enhance productivity of Fox Nut,water chestnut and fish and other Aqua products. The project would also help in recharging the groundwater table in Madhubani and Darbhanga districts. While reviewing various projects, the Chief Minister further announced to expand the Mithila haat. Apart from this, an International bus stand would be constructed in Madhubani which will also have a ring road along with other such infrastructures. The Chief Minister said that an Industrial Area would be developed on 500-acre land near Bangama village of Laukhi block along NH 27. Kumar said he would request the center to incorporate the Airport situated at Madhubani district headquarters under the Udan scheme. He said that “Fulharsthan” of Madhubani, where Lord Shri Ram and Mother Sita met for the first time, would be developed as a tourist spot.