Bihar Cabinet approves MOU between WRD & NIH, Roorkee for ‘Flood Plain Zone Delineation Study’

The Bihar cabinet on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) gave its nod to undertake a ‘Flood Plain Zone Delineation Study’ to identify and delineate flood-prone areas along the major tributaries of the River Ganga, namely the Kosi, Gandak, and Sone.

It approved the proposal for signing of an MOU between the State’s Water Resources Department and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, to execute the study work to be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 1.99 crore, Cabinet Secretariat Department’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters in Patna in a post-cabinet briefing held at the IPRD conference room.

It will help ensure the sustainable and balanced development of flood-affected areas in accordance with changing environmental and socio-economic conditions, while minimising loss of human life and damage to property. The proposed scheme is highly beneficial and serves the public interest.

It also approved a proposal for the assessment of the safety and actual condition of all specified dams located in the State under the Dam Safety Act 2021. It will prevent disasters arising from dam failures and to ensure a more effective response in the event of such incidents, Mr. Chaudhary said.

Under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, a legal and institutional framework is to be developed for assessing the safety and actual condition of 24 dams located in the State. This framework will include Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals to prevent disasters arising from dam failures and to ensure a more effective response in the event of such incidents.

Considering the high silt load in Bihar’s rivers and the prevailing monsoon flood conditions, periodic and updated technical assessments are essential to ensure the safe and effective operation of dams and strengthen dam safety management. 

In this context, hydrographic and sedimentation surveys of reservoirs are required to assess their current storage capacity and silt accumulation. In addition, the discharge capacity of spillways and the hydraulic safety of dams are to be evaluated on the basis of the revised design flood.

The target is to complete this scheme within eight months at an estimated cost of ₹8.39 crore, ACS said.

It also gave its nod to a scheme worth ₹11,096.55 crore to strengthen the LT (Low Tension) distribution system under the jurisdiction of the State’s electricity distribution companies and upgrade the capacity of LT cables, overloaded transformers, and other related infrastructure. It will be implemented in a phased manner over a maximum period of three years. 

The decision has been taken in view of the growing demand for electricity without interruption in the State, which is evident from the fact that the peak electricity demand has now increased to 9,475 MW from 1,802 MW in 2012.

In another decision, the cabinet also approved the transfer of 151.58 acres of land out of the total 266 acres of the closed Motipur Sugar Mill, a unit of the Bihar State Sugar Corporation, to the Industries Department for the establishment of other industries, while 115.08 acres will be used for setting up the sugar mill, Chaudhary said.

₹12 crore approved for “Bihar State Games 2026”

The Cabinet approved ₹12 crore for the proposed “Bihar State Games 2026” in order to encourage sporting talent in the State, besides identifying and nurturing emerging talent in various sports disciplines.

It is estimated that approximately 5,500 players, 750 technical officials, and 750 volunteers from various districts across the state will participate in the “Bihar State Games 2026” across 24 sports disciplines.

Bihar Olympic Association has been authorised through nomination to make arrangements for their accommodation, food, transportation, medical facilities, security, and sports equipment.

It also approved ₹18.21 crore for conducting a feasibility study for the development of an “underground road corridor” in Patna. A total of 43 decisions were taken during the Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Samrat Choudhary.

Published - October 29, 2026 05:08 am IST