Lok Sabha Question No. 3061 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Breaking of Kosi Western Embankment
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3061

ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025

## BREAKING OF KOSI WESTERN EMBANKMENT

## †3061. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  breaking  of  the  Kosi  western  embankment  near  Bhubhaul  village  of  Kiratpur  in Darbhanga Lok Sabha Constituency in the last week of September 2024 caused massive destruction in Kiratpur, Gauda Bauram and Ghanshyampur and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether excessive flow of water from Nepal into the Kosi River this year has caused over flowing and cracks in the dam and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether work relating to raising the height of the Kosi dam or strengthening of the same has not been carried out since more than over 61 years back when it was built and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  elevation  and  strengthening  work  along  with  the construction of a two-lane road from Bheja on the Kosi western embankment (where country's largest bridge is being constructed on the Kosi river under the Bharat Mala project) to the last point and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) Government of Bihar has informed that breach of Western Kosi Embankment (WKE) near Bhubhaul village  of  Kiratpur  block  in  Darbhanga  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  (at  Km  38.210  of  WKE  below Ghoghardiha) caused destruction in terms of damaging the embankment in a length of 220 meter which has incurred a cost of Rs. 40.2235 crore upon repairing work of the damaged portion.

(b) & (c) Kosi barrage was constructed in the year 1963 at Hanuman Nagar, Nepal at border of Bihar. The maximum observed flood discharge is 7.88  Lakh Cusec in 1968. The discharge recorded at Kosi Barrage  on  29th  September  2024  was  6.61  Lakh  Cusec.  At  present,  barrage  is  functioning  properly. Increased discharge caused over-topping of embankment ultimately resulting into its breach.

As per the regulations published under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, every owner of specified dam, through their dam safety unit, shall undertake pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspection regularly. As

per the latest pre-monsoon inspection report of Kosi Barrage, submitted by State Dam Safety Organisation,  Bihar  in  April  2025 "there  are  no  severe  obstructions  in,  upstream or  downstream  of intake/outlet structure (on the dam/barrage body) and some minor to moderate damages were observed in the conduit concrete, breast wall and gate slots (on the dam/barrage body)." As per the inspection report duly approved by the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO), the barrage is categorized as Category-III (minor deficiencies requiring rectification during the year).

(d) National Highway Authority has informed that construction of 10.2 km long Kosi bridge from Bheja to Bakaur between Eastern to Western bund of River Kosi along with  the strengthening of embankment in the approach towards Bheja side bund by stone Pitching has started.

One  flood  management  project  namely  "Raising  and  strengthening  of  Eastern  and  Western  Kosi Embankments" in Bihar with an estimated  cost  of  Rs.  339.39  Crore  was  included  for  central  funding under Flood Management Programme (FMP) of Ministry in XI plan and 97% of physical work has been completed.

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