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The Kosi Balance Sheet

By Dinesh Kumar Mishra

Promised Irrigation
Through Eastern Kosi Main Canal                                    712,000 hectares
Slashed Down Target (1975)                                             374,000 hectares
Actual Irrigation    2003-04                                                  141,970 ha (19.94%)
                                2004-05                                                  91,560 ha ( 12.86%)
                                2005-06                                                  149,170 ha ( 20.95%)
                                2006-07                                                  124,130 ha ( 17.43%)
                                2007-08                                                  136,180 ha (19.13%)

Maximum that the canal irrigated was in 1983-84         213,133 ha (29.93%)

Western Kosi Main Canal Promised Irrigation               325,000 ha
Actual Irrigation    2003-04                                                  13,750   ha (4.23%)
                                2004-05                                                  17,390   ha ( 5.35%)
                                2005-06                                                   21,620   ha ( 6.65%)
                                2006-07                                                   25,310   ha (7.79%)
                                2007-08                                                   23,770   ha (7.31%)
The Canal that was estimated to cost Rs 13.49 Crores in 1963 has consumed Rs. 1009 Crores till March 2008 and the construction still continues.

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