The Janata Dal (United), an NDA ally, has reiterated its demand that water rightfully belonging to the people of Bihar should not be diverted to Bangladesh.
Even though Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, has postponed his maiden visit to India, the Janata Dal (United), an NDA ally, has reiterated its demand that water rightfully belonging to the people of Bihar should not be diverted to Bangladesh. In light of rising water levels in the Ganga and the threat of floods in Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary had appealed to the West Bengal the existing agreement and argued against renewing it in its current form. ter into the Hooghly River via an irrigation canal, thereby preventing silt accumulation at the Kolkata Port and ensuring smooth navigation for ships. As for the formula regarding the sharing of Ganga river water with Bangladesh, it is structured as follows: government on August 24, 2026, to open all the gates of the Farakka Barrage. Following this appeal, the West Bengal government opened all the gates within 24 hours, thereby saving districts like Patna, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Chhapra from the displacement caused by floods. However, the Farakka Water Treaty with Bangladesh remains in effect and continues to face strong opposition.
Farakka Water treaty (1996)
An agreement regarding When the water flow is 70,000 cusecs or less, both India and Bangladesh receive a 50% share each. the sharing of Ganga river water was signed between India and Bangladesh 30 years ago, known as the Farakka Water Treaty. The agreement is set to expire in December 2026. The treaty was signed between the two nations on December 12, 1996, specifically covering the lean season (from January to May). The Farakka Barrage is located on the Ganga River in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district and became operational in 1975. The objective of the barrage is to divert a portion of the Ganga’s waWhen the flow is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs, Bangladesh is allocated 35,000 cusecs, with the remainder going to India. When 75,000 cusecs or more of water is available, India retains 40,000 cusecs for itself and allocates the surplus to Bangladesh. The flow of the Ganga is monitored and reviewed over continuous 10-day periods, and a joint committee oversees the implementation of the agreement. The term of this water treaty is set to expire in December 2026. Bihar has raised concerns and begun opposing the renewal in its current form. The Bihar government and local leaders argue that the barrage and the treaty are causing siltation in the state, leading to floods during the monsoon and droughts in the summer. While West Bengal seeks adequate water for its port and the Hooghly River, and Bangladesh is concerned about its own water channels, JDU Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha has sought to influence the government by raising this issue during the Parliament’s monsoon session. He stated that Bihar’s interests were not adequately addressed in Furthermore, there are demands that any future agreement must account for Bihar’s requirements regarding irrigation, agriculture, drinking water, and industry. While both the JDU and RJD have demanded a review of the treaty, the two parties have found themselves at odds over the issue, heating up the political atmosphere in Bihar. Hitting back, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh asked why this issue did not come to mind during the 12 years they have been in power, and challenged the JD(U), asking whether it will withdraw its support if the central government fails to act. Additionally, India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has urged that talks begin soon to avoid any complications regarding the water treaty in 2027. The committee also recommended that any future arrangement utilize updated hydrological data and take climate change into account.
