BIRPUR: This marvel of the Nehruvian Vision that 44 years ago helped in taming the dangerous Kosi river, also called the "Sorrow of Bihar" in the Indian territory, apart from bonding the Indo-Nepal interests to mutual advantage, is in a state of near collapse.
For, the maintenance of the barrage, which was the responsibility of the Indian government through Bihar's water resources department, has remained neglected for the last two decades, while China has already been engaged in developmental activities in Nepal, including along the upper reaches of the river Kosi, in the new situation, sources on the Nepal side said.
The barrage traditionally served the multi-purpose aim posited in it for the initial two decades. In between, the construction of Nepalese Raj Marg by the Indian government to link Kathmandu with Nepal's second most important city Biratnagar close to Bihar's eastern border, helped in sustaining the interests of Nepal and India to mutual advantage, since this Raj Marg also passed by Birpur Kosi Barrage.
However, sources on the Nepal side said that China is working on an alternative bridge route to Kathmandu from Biratnagar. It, by implication, would reduce dependence of Nepal on the Raj Marg constructed by the Indian government. Already, China is busy constructing spurs based on its own model along the upper reaches of the river Kosi to reduce the intensity of ravages caused by the river in Nepal, sources added.
Obviously, the 1.7-km-long breach in the eastern Kosi afflux embankment at Kusaha in Nepal last year, which caused catastrophic floods in the six districts of Bihar and four panchayats comprising 36 villages in Nepal, has brought the Birpur barrage in sharp focus. "The barrage has been a symbol of Indo-Nepal relations based as it was on amity, understanding and mutual advantage," said an official at the barrage, adding: "The barrage has to be functional in its full gear."
The Nitish Kumar government is trying to clear the charge of its neglect. Both WRD minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav and the department's principal secretary Ajay Nayak were at the site on Sunday. "We will do whatever is required to make the barrage functional to serve the people of both the countries," said Yadav.
The automatic gate lifting system (AGLS) of the barrage, which the Kolkata-based Jessop & Company installed, has been out of order since the 1988 earthquake. "The company is arriving in a day or two to do the inspection and make recommendations for its restoration," said Nayak, adding: "The tender will be floated to make things functional in right earnest. The money is available. The Centre (Delhi) will reimburse it."