Bihar launches India's first comprehensive silt management policy
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the policy to address recurring floods and use river silt for infrastructure development.
Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce a comprehensive silt management policy, according to The News Mill and ANI. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the 'Bihar Water Source Restoration and Silt Management Policy 2026' during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony under the ‘Nadi Sanjeevani’ initiative.
The initiative focuses on river desilting and using silt for National Highway construction. The event was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and senior officials. Choudhary stated the policy aims to transform vulnerabilities, such as floods and silt accumulation, into development resources.
Explaining the state's flood situation, Choudhary said seven major rivers flow into Bihar from Nepal, making the region susceptible to rainfall and water discharge from neighbouring areas. 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 said the Ganga broke its 200-year High Flood Level record due to water from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and the Terai region of Nepal. He also mentioned changes in the High Flood Level of the Gandak and Sone rivers, noting the Sone received nearly 1.15 million cusecs of water.
Choudhary cited the Odhni Dam in Banka district to highlight the economic potential of desilting. He said the state initially requested Rs 350 crore for a dredging project, but a private contractor later offered to pay the government Rs 60 crore to undertake the work.
Under the new policy linked with disaster management, the state provides Rs 20,000 per two hectares directly to farmers to excavate deposited sand. The policy is expected to supply earth and sand for township development and other infrastructure works.