In Budget’s largesse for Bihar, JD(U) most pleased about flood mitigation package

Jha added that the allocation – which paves the way for an Accelerated Irrigation Benefit programme and other projects – will give a push to the party’s “efforts to strengthen flood control measures by addressing a decades-old challenge”.

A senior JD(U) leader said that during his tenure as CM, Nitish has largely delivered on roads, law and order and to an extent power as well, but has been “struggling with the annual floods… (as) it involves Nepal, a foreign country”.

Bihar is India’s most flood-prone state, with 76% of the population of North Bihar living under the recurring threat of devastating flooding. The state makes up 16.5% of India’s flood-affected area and contains 22.1% of India’s flood-affected population. About 73.06% of Bihar’s geographical area is affected by floods.

Almost every year, several North Bihar districts get flooded during the monsoon due to excess water brought by rivers that flow out of Nepal. Over the years, thousands have died in these floods, apart from damage to crops and livestock. The problem is a key political issue in the state, with some flood-affected villages in the worst-affected Kosi belt boycotting elections in protest.

“We have been waiting for Nepal to do something about it for the past 40 years. I had met (Finance Minister) Nirmala Sitharaman ji on this issue and she spoke to the External Affairs Minister. There is the China factor also. But the government is committed to getting it done. The government is ready to make adjustments to the designs (of the dams). After all, it is a win-win for both Indian and Nepal,” Jha, who was earlier the Water Resources Minister in the Bihar government, said.

Claiming that this was the first time that a Budget had given this level of attention to floods in Bihar, another JD(U) leader said, “The Finance Minister has clearly spoken about the slow pace of dam building in Nepal. Bihar will get Rs 11,500 crore for flood mitigation, which includes studies and surveys. It will help build barrages on different rivers.”

With 12 seats in the Lok Sabha, the JD(U) is the second biggest partner in the BJP-led NDA, after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that has 16 seats.

Right after the poll results on June 4, the JD(U) had stepped up its demand for special status for Bihar, given its bargaining power in a minority BJP government. With the Modi government indicating that it would not change its opposition to special status, the JD(U), at its national executive meeting in June, recalibrated this to seek a “special package” for Bihar.

Apart from the flood mitigation funds, Bihar has been allocated Rs 26,000 crore for road connectivity projects and Rs 21,400 crore for a power project.

This is in addition to the government committing on the floor of the House that it would help Bihar secure loans from multilateral banking agencies and investments in healthcare, aviation and sports facilities.

Sources said they were also happy about the announcement regarding the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor in Gaya. A leader said it “will hugely benefit the state which has been trying to industrialise”.

“The government has already acquired 1,100 acres of land in Gaya for this purpose. The announcement of a power plant in Pirpainti at a cost of Rs 21,000 crore, two expressways, and the Buxar bridge will help the Bihar growth story,” a senior JD(U) leader said.

Sources also talked about the push for development of Vishnupad and Bodhgaya temples. “It will improve international tourism in Bihar and facilitate pilgrimage to Vishnupad, which attracts visitors from across the country,” a JD(U) leader said.