ADB approves USD 503 mln lining project of the Son canal in Bihar

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 503-million lining project of the Son canal in Shahabad-Bhojpur region of Bihar which would benefit the agriculture sector immensely in the region, the power ministry said today.

Power and New & Renewable Energy R K Singh today held a meeting with the officials from the ADB and the finance ministry to review the progress of lining project of the Son canal, the ministry said in a release.

Singh asked the ADB and the finance ministry officials to fix a timeframe for the completion of the project.

It was agreed during the meeting that the finance ministry will give permission to appoint consultants by July 17, 2018, and the ADB consultants will start their work by the end of July, it added.

Singh also instructed that process of design study, consultation with stakholders, feasibility report, preparation of tenders etc. should be expedited and the tender for the first phase of the lining of the main canal and branches should be issued by the first week of October.

The officials present at the meeting assured Singh that after completion of all due processes, bids for first phase will be issued by the said date.

The estimated cost of this project is USD 503 million (Rs 3272.49 crore) out of which USD 352 million is being provided by ADB. This project will bring immense benefits to the agriculture sector of Shahabad Bhojpur region of Bihar, the ministry said.