Bihar, Jharkhand Resolve Longstanding Water Dispute as Eastern Regional Council Meets in Ranchi

Patna: Bihar has struck a crucial deal with Jharkhand over the sharing of water from the Son river, potentially unlocking a long-delayed reservoir project that could transform irrigation across several districts.

The agreement emerged from the 27th meeting of the Eastern Regional Council, chaired by India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, in Ranchi on July 10. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, and Water Resources Minister, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, represented the state, with the latter briefing media on Friday at Patna’s Irrigation Bhawan.

Under the new arrangement, Bihar will receive 5.75 million acre feet (MAF) of water from the Son river while Jharkhand will get 2.00 MAF, resolving a dispute lingering since the 2000 bifurcation of Bihar. The earlier 1973 Bansagar Agreement had allocated 7.75 MAF to undivided Bihar.

“The agreement will pave the way for the Indrapuri reservoir project, pending for decades,” said Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. The reservoir, he added, would improve irrigation in the districts of Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Patna, Gaya and Arwal.

Progress was also reported on Bihar’s long-standing demand for a comprehensive silt management policy to address recurring floods, particularly caused by silt from rivers like the Koshi, Kamla, Bagmati and Gandak flowing into the Ganga.

“The Central Water Commission’s existing stance that desilting rivers is neither economically viable nor necessary needs re-evaluation,” Chaudhary said. “A comprehensive silt management policy is essential to prevent flood disasters.”

The meeting also saw movement on Bihar’s plans for a new barrage on the Mahananda river near Taiyabpur in Kishanganj district. Despite a 1978 agreement obligating West Bengal to provide water for irrigation in Bihar, delays have hindered Bihar’s Upper Mahananda Irrigation Scheme.

Bihar has now prepared a detailed project report for the Taiyabpur Barrage and secured clarity that West Bengal’s consent is not required for its construction. “The barrage will benefit Thakurganj, Pothia and Kishanganj blocks,” said Chaudhary, urging the central government to expedite project approval.

Additional Secretary Yashpal Meena, Chief Engineers Sharad Kumar and Awadhesh Kumar, and other senior officials attended the press conference.