Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary Says Farakka Treaty Limits State's Access to Water for Industries

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday said the existing water-sharing arrangement under the Farakka Treaty with Bangladesh restricts the state's ability to utilise Ganga water for industrial development, stressing the need for adequate water resources to drive economic growth.

Addressing an event organised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Choudhary said Bihar needs sufficient water for agriculture, drinking purposes and setting up industries, and cannot compromise on these requirements.

He said the current arrangement allows Bihar access to water for only four months, from July to October, when rainfall is generally available across the country.

"I am not opposed to Bangladesh receiving its share of water. However, we also need water for agriculture and drinking purposes. Bihar is a poor state, and it needs water to establish industries and promote economic development. We cannot compromise on this requirement," he said.

The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed between India and Bangladesh on December 12, 1996, regulates the sharing of Ganga waters at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, primarily during the dry season from January 1 to May 31. The 30-year agreement is set to expire in December 2026.

The Farakka Barrage was constructed in 1975 to divert water from the Ganga into the Hooghly River to flush out silt and maintain navigability of Kolkata Port.

Choudhary also highlighted the recurring flood-related challenges faced by Bihar due to rivers originating in Nepal.

He said seven major rivers originating in Nepal flow into Bihar, causing widespread damage and destruction, with annual losses estimated at Rs 10,000 crore.

Separately, the chief minister said the Bihar government was ready to grant the necessary stone-mining permissions to NHAI for construction-related activities.