- The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi was on a day long visit to Palamu, Jharkhand on 5 January 2019 to inaugurate six irrigation projects.
- He laid the foundation stone of Rs 2,391.36 crore Mandal Dam project that will be built on North Koel river under Barwadih block in Latehar district. The work on Mandal dam began in 1972, but has been stalled since 1993.
- Other projects for which the foundation stone was laid includes:
- Sone canal pipeline irrigation project worth Rs 1,169.28 crore
- Renovation and lining work of Bater Vier Irrigation Project
- Renovation of Bain Banki Reservoir Project
- Renovation and lining work of Anjanva Reservoir Project
- Renovation and lining work for Brahmani irrigation project (in Chakradharpur block of West Singhbhum district).
- The minister also witnessed the e-Grih Pravesh of 25,000 beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana.