Union Cabinet approves completion of North Koel Reservoir Project

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 August 2017 approved the proposal to complete the North Koel Reservoir Project in Jharkhand and Bihar at an estimated expenditure of Rs 1622.27 crore to be incurred during three financial years.

The Cabinet also approved storage of water in dam restricted at lower level to protect Betla National Park and Palamau Tiger Reserve.

Highlights of the North Koel Reservoir Project
• The project is situated on North Koel river which is a tributary of Sone river that joins the river Ganga.  
• North Koel Reservoir is located in the most backward tribal areas in Palamau and Garhwa districts of Jharkhand.
• The construction of the project originally began in the year 1972 and continued till 1993 when it was stopped by the Bihar's Forest Department. Since then, the work on dam is at a standstill.
• The major components of project are: 67.86 m high and 343.33 m long concrete dam called Mandal dam; 819.6 m long barrage at Mohammadganj, 96 km downstream of the dam and two canals originating from left and right banks of Mohammadganj Barrage.
• With the new lowered elevation level (EL) of 341 metre, the Mandal dam will now have storage of 190 MCM.  
• The project aims to provide irrigation to 111521 hectares of land annually in the most backward and drought prone areas of Palamu & Garhwa districts in Jharkhand and Aurangabad & Gaya districts in Bihar.
• Presently, the project is providing irrigation to 71720 hectares and completion of this project will provide additional irrigation benefit to the extent of 39801 hectares.