# Bihar 'Nadi Sanjeevani': river silt to be dredged and used in highway projects URL: https://kasba.co.in/en/story/bihar-nadi-sanjeevani-river-silt-to-be-dredged-and-used-in-h Language: en · Section: Farming · Published: 2026-11-03 Places: Bihar Source: PIB, "सड़क परिवहन एवं राजमार्ग मंत्रालय और बिहार सरकार के बीच जल निकायों से गाद की वैज्ञानिक तरीके से निकासी तथा गाद के राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग परियोजनाओं में उपयोग के लिए समझौता ज्ञापन पर हस्ताक्षर", 2026-11-03, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2332196 The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Bihar government signed a memorandum of understanding on 3 November 2026 to remove silt from identified rivers and water bodies in Bihar scientifically and use it in national highway projects. It affects farmers and flood-prone areas in Bihar, and the highway construction work linked to these projects. ## What this means for you This agreement does not ask ordinary people to apply or do anything. People in Bihar, especially farmers in flood-affected areas, may benefit over time, since the notice says the move is meant to improve water-holding capacity and reduce flood risk. The state's policy is also described as making it easier to remove sand and silt left on farmland after floods. ## Key facts - The memorandum was signed in New Delhi on 3 November 2026. - 243 lakh cubic metres of silt is to be used in 16 ongoing national highway projects. - 835 lakh cubic metres of silt is proposed for use in 27 future projects. - 39 NHAI projects of about 1,561 km are under construction in Bihar, with about Rs 58,340 crore of investment stated. - Bihar's national highway network has grown from 4,615 km in 2014 to about 6,500 km now. - Bihar's Road Construction Department will be the nodal department. ## What has happened The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Bihar government signed a memorandum of understanding in New Delhi on 3 November 2026. Under it, silt will be removed scientifically from identified rivers and other water bodies in Bihar, and that silt will be used in national highway projects. The initiative is called 'Nadi Sanjeevani'. The signing took place in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. ## Why this is being done According to the notice, large amounts of silt collecting in rivers have hurt their water-holding capacity, adding to problems such as floods and damage to farmland and property. Bihar faces repeated floods and water stress, and rivers coming from Nepal bring heavy water and silt into the state. The notice says removing silt will improve water flow and drainage, revive water bodies and also provide material for highway construction. ## Silt use in highway projects The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified wide scope for using the silt in highway projects in Bihar. As per the notice, 243 lakh cubic metres of suitable silt will be used in 16 ongoing projects, while about 835 lakh cubic metres is proposed for use in 27 future projects. The silt will be used subject to technical suitability and required approvals. At present, 39 NHAI projects of about 1,561 km are under construction in Bihar, with about Rs 58,340 crore of investment stated. Another 11 projects of about 1,982 km are proposed, involving about Rs 1,85,200 crore of investment. ## How the work will be done and who monitors it Bihar's Road Construction Department will act as the nodal department. A state-level coordination committee will examine proposals, facilitate approvals, monitor implementation and resolve operational issues. Silt removal will be taken up only after a detailed technical assessment of the identified water bodies, and permission will be given only at approved sites within set technical limits. It will also be ensured that silt removal does not harm the river ecosystem, riverbanks, embankments, bridges and other structures. ## State policy and relief for farmers The Chief Minister said the 'Bihar Water Source Revival and Silt Management Policy, 2026' has been prepared to provide a structured framework for reviving water bodies and managing silt. According to the notice, the policy also provides for removing sand and silt left on farmland after floods, which will give relief to affected farmers. ## What this means for ordinary people The agreement gives the public no application, form or deadline, so nobody needs to do anything. The benefits described in the notice — lower flood risk, more water for irrigation and drinking, and protection of farmland — are long-term. For more information, rely on the concerned department or official government information. ## Questions and answers **What is the Bihar Nadi Sanjeevani initiative?** It is an initiative to remove silt from rivers and water bodies scientifically and use that silt in national highway projects. The central Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Bihar government signed a memorandum of understanding for it. **Do ordinary people need to do anything for this?** No, the agreement has no application or form for the public. Silt removal will be taken up after a detailed technical assessment of the identified water bodies. **Who benefits from removing the silt?** According to the notice, it will help improve the water-holding capacity of rivers, improve drainage and reduce flood risk. It also speaks of more water for irrigation and drinking, and better groundwater recharge. **Where is the removal of sand and silt from farmland after floods mentioned?** The notice says the 'Bihar Water Source Revival and Silt Management Policy, 2026' provides for removing sand and silt left on farmland after floods. It says this will give relief to affected farmers. **Who will monitor the silt removal?** Bihar's Road Construction Department will be the nodal department. A state-level coordination committee will examine proposals, facilitate approvals, monitor implementation and resolve operational issues. Kasba Desk, Kasba. This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing.