For the use of immense water resource the floods in North-Bihar. In view of the severity of the threat, drought, multi purpose river valley schemes have been developed in Bihar.
So that hydropower generation, irrigation, fisheries, drinking water, industrial use and transport can be developed. Several projects have been created for this purpose. There are three main projects
- Sone River Valley Project,
- Gandak River Valley Project
- Kosi River Valley Project.
Kosi River Valley Project : Kosi river is a tributary of Ganga. The river was called the sorrow of Bihar due to its terrible floods in northern Bihar.
This project is the result of the collective effort of Government of Nepal, Government of India and Bihar.
Its main purpose is to stop the changing course of the river, control the wastage of fertile land, prevent the damage caused by severe floods, development water irrigation, hydropower generation fisheries, boating and control of the environment etc.
The project was conceived in 1896 but was actually completed in 1955. The project has been completed in several phases.
In the first phase control of river division, construction of barrage at Hanuman Nagar place on Bihar.
Nepal border, construction of embankment on both sides for flood control, Construction of Easter and Western Kosi Canal and its branches. In this connection 240 km. long flood control dam was constructed on both sides of the water.
In the second phase, works related to hydropower was completed through this project 20,000 K.W. capacity hydroelectric power house is under construction on East Kosi canal. It generates hydro electric powers in Bihar. Both the state of Bihar and the country if Nepal are benefitted by this project.
