Bihar Becomes First Indian State to Introduce Comprehensive Silt Management Policy 2026; Partners with NHAI

Why in the News?

Bihar became the **first Indian state** to introduce a comprehensive framework for river sediment management through the **Bihar Water Resource Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026**.

Key Features / Major Points:

- Approval & Gazette Notification:

- Approved by the Bihar Cabinet on **September 15, 2026**, and published in the official gazette on **September 17, 2026 (Notification No. 803)** by the Water Resources Department.

- Core Policy Objectives:

- Restores water-carrying and retention capacity across rivers, barrages, reservoirs, and canals.

- Mitigates annual flood devastation while converting river silt from construction waste into a productive infrastructure asset.

- Focus Rivers:

- Heavily targets high-sediment and flood-prone river basins including the **Ganga, Kosi, Bagmati, Kamla-Balan, and Gandak**.

- Direct Relief for Farmers:

- Under the policy’s disaster management provisions, the state provides **₹20,000 per 2 hectares** directly to farmers whose agricultural fields are buried under sand and silt deposits to assist in land reclamation and excavation.

- Nadi Sanjeevani Initiative & MoRTH / NHAI Partnership:

- On **November 2, 2026**, the Bihar Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (**MoU**) with MoRTH and NHAI in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

- Operates under the **Nadi Sanjeevani Initiative**, which scientifically desilts rivers and reuses recovered sand, mud, and fine earth in National Highway embankments.

- NHAI has identified an estimated demand of **243 lakh cubic metres** of silt for ongoing and proposed highway infrastructure projects across Bihar.

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Static GK Facts:

- Water Resources Department, Government of Bihar:

- Deputy Chief Minister & Minister of Water Resources: **Vijay Kumar Chaudhary**.

- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):

- Established: **1988** (NHAI Act, 1988; Operationalized 1995) | Headquarters: **New Delhi** | Parent Ministry: **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)**.

- Major Rivers of Bihar:

- Kosi River: Known as the **"Sorrow of Bihar"** due to heavy siltation and frequent course shifts.

One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):

Q: Which Indian state became the first to formulate and notify a comprehensive Silt Management Policy in 2026?

A: Bihar

Q: Under which initiative did the Bihar government partner with NHAI to utilize desilted river sand for highway construction?

A: Nadi Sanjeevani Initiative

Q: What amount of direct financial assistance does Bihar provide to farmers per 2 hectares for excavating sand-covered fields under the 2026 Silt Policy?

A: ₹20,000

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