Patna: Preparations are under way to renew the 1996 Ganga water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh, with officials indicating that Bihar could receive an additional 900 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water during the dry season under the proposed new pact.
The existing treaty, which governs the sharing of Ganga waters at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, is due to expire on December 12, 2026. Ahead of this deadline, the Indian government has constituted an internal committee under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to review the agreement and recommend future arrangements.
According to sources familiar with the process, the committee’s draft recommendations include allocating around 900 cusecs of water to Bihar between January and May, the period when river flows are at their lowest. The water is expected to be used primarily for drinking water supply and industrial purposes.
The Bihar government had sought a higher allocation of around 2,000 cusecs during the lean season. However, officials said the committee has proposed a lower figure for the time being, citing constraints on water availability and the need to maintain balance in international river sharing with Bangladesh.
Officials argue that even the proposed allocation could provide significant relief to parts of south Bihar, which experience acute water shortages every summer. They say improved access to Ganga water would help stabilise drinking water supply and support industrial development in the region.
Under the current treaty, water sharing at Farakka is determined by overall availability rather than fixed, state-wise quotas. Officials said discussions on separate allocations for Indian states have not yet been finalised as part of the renewal process.
Senior officials in the water resources department noted that Bihar is a key stakeholder in the negotiations, as the Ganga flows through the state before entering Bangladesh. They added that the state’s requirements are expected to be given due weight as talks on the new agreement progress.
