Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Gadkari Proposes Water Grid and River Dredging for Bihar
Nitin Gadkari said Bihar needs better ways to manage and move water.
He suggested building a water grid, similar to power and highway grids.
He also proposed removing mud and sand from rivers so they can carry more water.
Protective walls and deeper channels could help reduce flooding.
Gadkari said the removed silt could be used to build highways.
He also said these channels could help boats carry goods and reduce transport costs.
He described many planned highway projects across Bihar.
He said these projects are meant to improve travel, trade and investment in the state.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari proposed a water grid, river dredging, protective walls and basin-to-basin water transfers to reduce Bihar’s flood risk.
He said the National Highways Authority of India could dredge rivers and remove silt free of charge if the Bihar government approves the policy.
Gadkari said dredging and deep-water channels could also support inland water transport and lower logistics costs for businesses.
He outlined Bihar highway projects valued at Rs 3.88 lakh crore, including completed, ongoing and upcoming works.
The minister said the Patna-Purnia Greenfield Expressway proposal had been sent for Cabinet approval, while several other major corridors were under construction or consideration.
- Who
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, along with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and other state ministers, addressed the issue.
- What
- Gadkari proposed comprehensive water-management measures and outlined major highway and connectivity projects for Bihar.
- When
- The remarks were made on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after the Bihar Investor Summit 2026 inauguration.
- Where
- The event took place in Patna, Bihar.
- Why
- The proposals aim to reduce flood risks, improve water management, lower logistics costs and strengthen Bihar’s economic connectivity.
- Proposed flood measures
- Water grid, basin-to-basin water transfers, river dredging and protective walls.
- Potential dredging offer
- Gadkari said the National Highways Authority of India could remove river silt free of charge if Bihar approves the policy.
- Planned highway investment
- Around Rs 3.88 lakh crore in highway projects was outlined for Bihar.
- Completed highways
- Projects covering 2,910 km were completed at a cost of around Rs 33,000 crore.
- Ongoing highway works
- Projects covering 1,878 km, worth about Rs 65,100 crore, were underway.
- National highway expansion
- Bihar’s national highway network increased from around 4,615 km in 2014 to nearly 6,500 km.
- Major corridor
- The Gorakhpur-Siliguri high-speed corridor is estimated to cost Rs 72,000 crore, with 410 of its 526 km in Bihar.