The North Koel Canal Project, conceived in 1970 and started in 1975, has long faced delays, but now it is gaining momentum under the renewed focus of Bihar's Chief Secretary, Pratyaya Amrit.

Following a series of high-level reviews, the project is on track, with land acquisition set to finish by December 2025 and physical construction by March 2026. Once completed, it will transform 1.24 lakh hectares of agricultural land across Bihar and Jharkhand, benefiting over 25 lakh farmers. The project involves a dam on the Koel River in Jharkhand, a barrage in Palamu, and a network of canals spanning both states.

"The project must be completed strictly within the approved timeline," emphasised CS Amrit, urging tight coordination between authorities. The Centre has ranked it among the top irrigation priorities, with the cost exceeding Rs 20,000 crore, reflecting both its ambition and long delays.