New Delhi, Aug. 7: Janata Dal (United) Working National President and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday urged the Central Government not to renew the Farakka Water Treaty with Bangladesh, which is set to expire on December 12, 2026. He called for a new agreement based on a scientific assessment of the water requirements of all Ganga basin states, including Bihar, up to the year 2050.
Raising the issue through a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha, Jha said the 1996 treaty has affected Bihar’s water security and should be reviewed before any decision on its renewal. He said the Farakka Barrage was originally constructed to maintain water flow in the Hooghly River and support the Kolkata Port.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Jha said the JD(U) and its National President, former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, have opposed the treaty since it was signed, maintaining that it does not adequately protect Bihar’s interests.
Jha said that over the past three decades Bihar has faced water shortages during the lean season, leading to declining groundwater levels and drinking water shortages, particularly in the southern districts of the state. He said adequate flow of Ganga water is essential for irrigation, drinking water supply, industrial development and environmental needs.
Referring to projections of the Bihar Government, Jha said the state is expected to require around 2,000 cusecs of additional water by 2050, while the present treaty provides for a lower allocation. He urged the Centre to conduct a fresh scientific assessment of the water requirements of all Ganga basin states and formulate a new framework accordingly.
He further cautioned that renewing the treaty without ensuring sufficient water availability for Bihar could affect the state’s long-term development and the livelihoods of millions of people.