Bihar CM inaugurates ₹130 crore canal to divert floodwaters, boost farm output
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday inaugurated a 68-kilometre Belwa-Minapur link channel in Sheohar district. The channel, part of the Bagmati-Budhi Gandak River Interlinking Project, is expected to reduce the intensity of floods in north Bihar by diverting surplus water from the Bagmati river to the Budhi Gandak river. The project, built at a cost of ₹130.88 crore, aims to manage excess water during floods and provide relief to flood-prone areas.
The Chief Minister stated that the channel will benefit lakhs of farmers by enhancing irrigation capacity and boosting agricultural productivity. He said, “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.”
Mr. Choudhary noted that river inter-linking projects are in line with the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He added, “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.” The Chief Minister described the inter-linking projects as a historic initiative toward realising a developed Bihar and a foundation for sustainable development.
In a separate event in Begusarai, the Chief Minister inaugurated 551 Saraswati Vidya Niketan schools across all 38 districts of Bihar. He said nearly four lakh students will study in these model schools, which aim to provide quality education. “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. Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh was present at the event.
The Chief Minister also announced the launch of the ‘FILO’ app, through which live and interactive classes will be delivered starting August 15. He stated that facilities such as smart classrooms, digital studios, modern laboratories, and special arrangements for competitive exam preparation (including NEET and JEE) are being developed in selected schools. The government aims to ensure that students in Bihar do not have to rely on other states for high-quality education or exam preparation.
