Bihar introduces India's first comprehensive silt management policy
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the new policy to tackle recurring floods and use river silt for infrastructure projects.
Bihar has become the first state in India to enact a dedicated silt management policy, according to ANI. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the 'Bihar Water Source Restoration and Silt Management Policy 2026' on Tuesday during an MoU signing ceremony for the ‘Nadi Sanjeevani’ initiative.
The policy aims to manage recurring floods and repurpose accumulated river silt for township development and National Highway construction. The event was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and other senior officials.
Choudhary explained that seven major rivers entering Bihar from Nepal make the state vulnerable to external rainfall. He noted that despite Bihar recording more than 32 per cent deficient rainfall this year, three major rivers reached peak flood levels.
The Chief Minister stated that the Ganga broke its 200-year High Flood Level record due to water volumes from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and the Terai region of Nepal. He said the Sone River received nearly 11.5 lakh cusecs of water under the Bansagar agreement.
To assist farmers whose fields are buried under sand and silt, the state provides Rs 20,000 per two hectares for excavation. Choudhary said this assistance is linked to disaster management to help those affected by inundation.
The Chief Minister highlighted the economic potential of desilting, citing a project at Odhni Dam in Banka district. He noted that a private contractor offered to pay the government Rs 60 crore to undertake dredging after the state issued its own tender.