Bihar’s interests must be considered in the Ganga Water Treaty: Samrat Choudhary

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday (October 30, 2026) said that Bihar’s interests must be given top priority in matters concerning the Ganga Water and the Farakka Treaty. He said this during a one-day seminar organised by the State Water Resources Department titled ‘Ganga Water Treaty: Water Security of Bihar’.

He asserted that the availability of sufficient water is crucial for the holistic development of Bihar, the expansion of agriculture, and industrial progress.

“The State requires water for drinking, irrigation of farmlands, and the operation of industries. Bihar’s interests must be given top priority in matters concerning the Ganga water and the Farakka Treaty. The 25-year-old dispute between Bihar and Jharkhand over the sharing of Sone River water has been resolved with the assistance of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, ensuring that Bihar receives three-fourths (3/4) of the water,”Mr. Choudhary said.

He added that it is a major achievement toward the better management of the State’s water resources. The Chief Minister also said that the State government has formulated a State-level policy for ‘Silt Management ‘, and a scientific approach will be adopted for the removal and utilisation of silt extracted from the Ganga and other rivers.

“Efforts will be made to make the silt and soil from the Ganga available for public use, as well as for construction projects such as roads and other infrastructure. An agreement will be signed between the Government of Bihar and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the near future. There is also a need to develop a silt management policy at the national level,”Mr. Choudhary said.

Emphasising the construction and strengthening of embankments along the Ganga, the Chief Minister called for the necessity of scientific understanding of the river’s flow and management, and acting accordingly.

He suggested that experts participating in the seminar should conduct an aerial survey of the Ganga to gain a direct assessment of the river’s current state, flow, and silt accumulation, enabling them to provide effective recommendations.

Mr. Choudhary mentioned that Bihar’s rivers hold immense potential for the State, and through the proper management of their water and silt, new opportunities can be created in agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and employment.

“The State government aims to generate employment and job opportunities for one crore people, a goal in which the optimal use of water resources will play a crucial role,”Mr. Choudhary said.

He reiterated the commitment to transform Bihar’s rivers into the foundation of the State’s economic prosperity. He suggested that through the scientific management of water resources, expert guidance, and the support of the Central Government, Bihar will be steered toward new heights of development.