According to the CCEA, the Link Project will provide 2,10,516 hectares of additional annual irrigation in Kharif season in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar.
The project has potential to divert/utilise about 2,050 million cubic metre of surplus water of Kosi through the proposed link canal.
Further, after remodelling of existing EKMC, shortfall supply to 1.57 lakh hectare existing command of existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal shall be restored.
The PMKSY was launched during the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improved on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
The Centre approved the implementation of PMKSY during 2021-26 with an overall outlay of Rs 93,068.56 crore (Central assistance of Rs 37,454 crore).
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of PMKSY, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is for the creation of irrigation potential through major and medium irrigation projects.
The government said that 63 projects have been completed under PMKSY-AIBP to date, and additional irrigation potential of 26.11 lakh hectare has been created since April 2016.
