North Koel project may miss deadline again as land acquisition hurdles persist

Gaya: With less than two weeks left to complete the North Koel irrigation project, Aurangabad officials are racing against time to meet the March 31 deadline. However, the project—being closely monitored by both the Union and state govts—appears unlikely to be completed on schedule as the land acquisition process is yet to be finished.A few days ago, chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit reviewed the progress of the work through a video conference and directed Aurangabad DM Abhilasha Sharma and other officials to accelerate the pace of construction. Launched in 1972, the project has already been delayed by more than four decades.According to sources, against the requirement of 41 hectares, only about 36 hectares have been acquired so far, with more than 10% of the land still pending.

In addition, issues related to the relocation of electric poles and shifting of transformers remain unresolved.When asked about the likelihood of meeting the deadline, Sharma remained non-committal, saying she would have to seek an update from the water resources department. She, however, said the work would be completed before the onset of the monsoon, tentatively scheduled for June 15. Farmers are expected to benefit from the project in the coming Kharif season, she said.

Originally estimated to cost Rs 30 crore in 1972, the project cost has increased nearly hundredfold and is now pegged at Rs 2,430 crore. Aurangabad was part of the erstwhile Gaya district when the project began. Once completed, it will provide assured irrigation to more than 95,000 hectares of farmland in some of the most drought-prone areas of Aurangabad district.As per records, work on the project was halted in 1993 on environmental grounds, as the proposed dam height was considered a threat to the Palamu Tiger Reserve in neighbouring Palamu district of the then undivided Bihar.The project was revived in 2017 after the dam height was reduced to address environmental concerns. The project’s main water source is located in Jharkhand. Sources said the Prime Minister’s Office is also closely monitoring the progress of the scheme.