Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy R.K Singh, with the officials from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Finance Ministry reviewed the progress of lining project of the Son canal in Shahabad – Bhojpur region of Bihar. During the meeting ADB representatives informed that ADB had accorded approval for this project. The minister asked the ADB and Finance Ministry officials to fix a time frame for the completion of the project. It was agreed during the meeting that Finance Ministry will give permission to appoint consultants by 17th July, 2018 and ADB consultants will start their work by the end of July.
The minister also instructed that process of design study, consultation with stakeholders, 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. Officials present at the meeting assured him that after completion of all due processes, bids for first phase will be issued by the said date.
It may be noted that 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.
