Bihar CM opens ₹130.88-cr. link to divert floodwaters, enhance farm productivity

Published 19 July 2026 · politics

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday inaugurated a 68-km Belwa-Minapur link channel in Sheohar. The channel — part of the Bagmati-Budhi Gandak River Interlinking

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday inaugurated a 68-km Belwa-Minapur link channel in Sheohar. The channel — part of the Bagmati-Budhi Gandak River Interlinking Project — is expected to bring respite to north Bihar districts affected by floods by diverting surplus water from the Bagmati river to the Budhi Gandak river. The project, constructed at a cost of ₹130.88 crore, will enable the management of excess water during floods and reduce their intensity, said the Chief Minister. The channel is expected to benefit lakhs of farmers and boost agricultural productivity in the region, Mr. Choudhary said. Boost to farmers’ income “The project will enhance irrigation capacity, boost agricultural production, increase farmers’ income and encourage fisheries as well as other agriculture-based activities.

Additionally, it will strengthen groundwater recharge, expand green cover, environmental conservation and provide a boost to the regional economy,” he said. Choudhary said the river inter-linking projects are aimed at realising the vision of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these ambitious projects are being implemented on the ground in Bihar, giving a new direction to integrated water resource management in the State,” he added. “River inter-linking projects represent a historic initiative towards realising the vision of a developed Bihar and will serve as a strong foundation for the State’s sustainable development,” said the Chief Minister, accompanied by his deputy Vijay Kumar Choudhary. At another event, in Begusarai, the Chief Minister inaugurated 551 Saraswati Vidya Niketan schools in all 38 districts of Bihar.

“Nearly 4 lakh students will study in these schools, and these model schools will serve as a strong foundation for the children’s bright future. It represents not only new schools but also a solid basis for Bihar’s new education policy and the resolve to build a developed Bihar. Through these schools, students will cultivate knowledge, values, discipline, and a spirit of nation-building,” Mr. Choudhary said. Begusarai MP and Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh was also present at the event. ‘Historic changes’ “Education is the greatest strength of any developed society and the Bihar government is continuously working to bring historic transformations in the education sector,” said Mr. Choudhary. He said the government is working to ensure that every child has access to modern, quality, technology-driven and value-based education.