Bihar Cabinet approves MoU between WRD and NIH, Roorkee for ‘Flood Plain Zone Delineation Study’
The Bihar Cabinet on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) gave its approval to conduct a “Flood Plain Zone Delineation Study” to identify and delineate flood-prone areas along the main tributaries of the Ganges, namely Kosi, Gandak and Sone.
It has approved a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding between the state water resources department and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, to carry out study work to be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 1.99 crore, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters in Patna at a brief conference after the IPRD booth.
It will help ensure sustainable and balanced development of flood-affected areas in accordance with changing environmental and socio-economic conditions while minimizing loss of life and property damage. The proposed regime is highly beneficial and serves the public interest.
It also approved a proposal to assess the safety and actual condition of all specified dams located in the state under the Dam Safety Act, 2021. It will prevent disasters due to dam failure and ensure more effective response to such incidents, Mr. Chaudhary said.
Under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, a legal and institutional framework is to be created to assess the safety and actual condition of the 24 dams located in the state. This framework will include Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) manuals to prevent disasters caused by dam failures and ensure a more effective response to such incidents.
Due to the high loading of Bihar’s rivers and prevailing monsoon floods, regular and updated technical assessments are essential to ensure safe and efficient operation of dams and to strengthen dam safety management.
In this context, hydrographic and sedimentary surveys of reservoirs are necessary to assess their current storage capacity and silt accumulation. In addition, the flow capacity of the spillways and the hydraulic safety of the dams are to be evaluated based on the revised design flood.
The aim is to complete this plan within eight months at an estimated cost of ₹8.39 crore, ACS said.
It also gave its approval for a ₹11,096.55 crore program to strengthen the LT (Low Tension) distribution system under the jurisdiction of State Electricity Distribution Companies and to upgrade the capacity of LT cables, overload transformers and other related infrastructure. It will be implemented gradually over a maximum of three years.
The decision was taken in view of the growing demand for uninterrupted power in the state, which is evident from the fact that peak power consumption 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 Bihar State Sugar Corporation, to the Industries Department for setting up other industries, while 115.08 acres will be used for setting up a sugar mill, Chaudhary said.
₹12 crore approved for ‘Bihar State Games 2026’
The Cabinet approved ₹12 crore for the proposed ‘Bihar State Games 2026’ to encourage sporting talent in the state, besides identifying and nurturing new talent in various sporting disciplines.
Around 5,500 players, 750 technical officials and 750 volunteers from various districts across the state are estimated to participate in the ‘Bihar State Games 2026’ in 24 sports.
The Bihar Olympic Association was empowered by the nomination to provide them accommodation, food, transport, medical facilities, security and sports equipment.
It also sanctioned ₹18.21 crore for carrying out 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 – 29 Oct 2026 05:08 IST