PATNA, Sept. 13 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also lay the foundation stone for Phase-I of the transformative Kosi-Mechi link project during his anticipated visit to Purnia on September 15. As the state and central machineries gear up for this milestone event, Union jal shakti minister CR Patil, minister of state Rajbhushan Chaudhary along with Bihar water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary conducted an extensive aerial survey of the project area on Thursday. Accompanied by water resources department (WRD) principal secretary Santosh Kumar Mall, the leaders reviewed critical aspects of the initiative alongside other flood management and irrigation projects, reaffirming their commitment to mitigating floods and revolutionising agriculture in Bihar's Seemanchal region. The Kosi-Mechi link project, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 28, under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), carries a total cost of Rs.6,282 crore with Rs.3,652 crore allocated as central assistance to Bihar. The project, slated for completion by March 2029, aims to tame the Kosi River - infamously known as the "Sorrow of Bihar" - while significantly enhancing irrigation infrastructure. Mall said, "The project is structured in two phases, with Phase-I focusing on modernising the 41.3-kilometre eastern Kosi main canal (EKMC) criss-crossing Supaul and Araria districts, reconstructing old and damaged structures and increasing the canal's discharge capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs. This phase, costing Rs.2,682.73 crore, includes works such as resectioning and lining of the canal, renovation of the settling basin, and construction of 13 head regulators, five cross regulators, seven canal siphons, one siphon aqueduct and nine bridges." The tender process is nearing completion, with eight bidders participating and awards being expected by September 10. Phase-I will ensure reliable irrigation for the existing command area of 5.94 lakh hectares, reduce silt load through a modernized settling basin and lay the groundwork for flood mitigation by facilitating the interlinking of the Kosi and Mechi rivers. Phase-II will extend the canal by 76.2 kilometers (from 41.3 to 117.5 km) to connect with the Mechi River, a Mahananda tributary and construct new canal systems with up to 5 cusec discharge capacity after the land acquisition. This phase will create additional irrigation capacity for 2.15 lakh hectares in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar during the Kharif season, while restoring water supply to 1.57 lakh hectares under the existing Kosi canal system. "The project will benefit eight districts - Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Purnea, Katihar, Kishanganj and Khagaria-by curbing floods in 28 flood-prone districts and boosting agricultural productivity. The enhanced irrigation is expected to enable multiple cropping cycles, significantly increase farmers' incomes," added the principal secretary.. Discussions also covered the restoration of the Western Kosi Canal and the Bagmati embankment project, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen Bihar's flood defenses and agricultural infrastructure....