Named ‘Nadi Sanjivani’, the initiative aims to restore the water-carrying capacity of rivers and water bodies, improve flood management, conserve agricultural land and provide an alternative source of construction material for highway projects.
The initiative addresses Bihar’s recurring flood challenges, partly caused by rivers originating in Nepal that carry large volumes of water and sediment into the state. Accumulated silt reduces the carrying capacity of rivers and water bodies, contributing to flooding, agricultural land damage and property losses. Scientific desilting is expected to improve water flow and drainage while making suitable excavated material available for infrastructure construction.
Under the initiative, NHAI has identified the potential to use 243 lakh cubic metres of suitable silt in 16 ongoing National Highway projects. Another 835 lakh cubic metres is proposed for use in 27 future projects, subject to technical suitability and necessary approvals.
Currently, 39 NHAI projects covering around 1,561 km, with an estimated investment of Rs 58,340 crore, are under construction in Bihar. Another 11 projects covering approximately 1,982 km and involving an estimated investment of Rs 1,85,200 crore are proposed.
The availability of excavated silt is expected to meet a significant portion of the material requirements of these projects, reduce dependence on fresh earth material and agricultural soil, lower construction costs and support timely project execution.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the state had formulated the Bihar Water Sources Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026, to provide a framework for restoring water bodies and managing accumulated silt. The policy also provides for removing sand and silt deposited on agricultural land following floods to support affected farmers.
The MoU establishes a coordination framework between NHAI and the Bihar Government. The state’s Road Construction Department will act as the nodal department, supported by a State-level Coordination Committee responsible for examining proposals, facilitating approvals and monitoring implementation.
Desilting will be undertaken following technical assessments and at approved locations, with safeguards to protect river ecosystems, riverbanks, embankments, bridges and other structures. The excavated material will be tested for suitability in accordance with MoRTH specifications and relevant Indian Roads Congress codes. Joint measurements, digital records and periodic monitoring will be used to track the quantities extracted, transported and utilised.
The agreement also builds on the expansion of highway infrastructure in Bihar. The National Highway network in the state has increased from 4,615 km in 2014 to approximately 6,500 km. Since 2014, construction of around 29 new bridges over major rivers has also been taken up.
The initiative is expected to integrate water-body restoration with highway development by using suitable excavated silt as a construction resource while supporting flood management and agricultural land conservation.
