<h2 class="ql-align-justify">Kosi-Mechi River Linking</h2> Context:&nbsp; The long-awaited Kosi-Mechi river interlinking project in Bihar is closer to becoming a reality, with the Union Budget 2024-25 allocating a substantial Rs 11,500 crore. Kosi River<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">It is Confluence of three streams – Sun Kosi, Arun Kosi, and Tamur Kosi.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Also known as Saptakoshi for its seven upper tributaries.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Length is 729 kms.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Trans-boundary river which flows through China, Nepal, and India.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Tributary of Ganges (Left bank) near Kursela in Katihar district.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Tributaries: Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi or Tamba Koshi, Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Likhu, Arun, and Tamore or Tamar.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Kosi is known as the "sorrow of Bihar", as it has caused widespread human suffering in the past due to flooding and very frequent changes in course.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">River basin borders – Tsangpo River basin in the north, Mahananda River basin in the east, Ganges Basin in the south and the Gandaki River basin in the west.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Drainage: 74,500 sq.km, only 11,070 sq.km lie within Indian Territory.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Peaks located in the basin: Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Important Projects: Kosi Barrage or Bhimnagar Barrage, Kosi-Mechi Interlink, Sapta Koshi High Dam Multipurpose Project, Sun Koshi Storage-cum-Diversion Scheme.</li></ul> Mechi River<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Mechi originates in the Mahabharat Range in Nepal.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Mechi River is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It is a tributary of the Mahananda River (Right Bank), join at kishanganj district of Bihar.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It flows through Nepal, forms the boundary between India and Nepal and then flows through the Indian state of Bihar to join the Mahananda in Kishanganj district.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Importnat project is Kosi-Mechi Interlink.</li></ul>