Bihar becomes first state to introduce 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 implement a comprehensive silt management policy, according to ANI. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the move on Tuesday during an MoU signing programme for the ‘Nadi Sanjeevani’ initiative.
The policy aims to tackle frequent flooding and repurpose accumulated river silt for projects such as National Highway construction and township development. Choudhary noted that the initiative would turn flood vulnerabilities into resources for the state's development.
Addressing the flood situation, the Chief Minister said seven major rivers flow into Bihar from Nepal. He stated that even when it does not rain in Bihar, rainfall in Nepal can cause devastation in the state.
Choudhary reported that despite Bihar recording more than 32 per cent deficient rainfall this year, three major rivers reached peak flood levels. He mentioned that the Ganga broke its 200-year High Flood Level (HFL) record due to massive water volumes from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and the Terai of Nepal.
The Chief Minister highlighted the economic potential of desilting, citing the Odhni Dam in Banka district. He said a private contractor offered to pay the government Rs 60 crore to undertake dredging after the state floated its own tender.
Under the ‘Bihar Water Source Restoration and Silt Management Policy 2026’, the state provides Rs 20,000 per two hectares to farmers to excavate sand and silt deposited on their fields.