Historic Water-Sharing Agreement Signed Between Bihar and Jharkhand
In a significant step towards resolving longstanding conflicts over water resources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bihar and Jharkhand for the sharing of the Sone River water. The event was attended by prominent leaders, including Chief Ministers Hemant Soren of Jharkhand and Samrat Choudhary of Bihar, as well as Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, and senior officials from both states and the central government.
Amit Shah emphasized that the newly established agreement takes a decisive step in settling a nearly 25-year-old water dispute, finally enabling the provision of irrigation water to numerous farmers and assuring access to drinking water for residents in both states. He praised the agreement as a model of cooperative federalism and part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Team Bharat’.
Shah indicated that the effort to resolve these challenges highlights how cooperative dialogue can address complex issues that affect vast populations, agricultural sectors, and drinking water access. He expressed confidence that collaborative initiatives like this are pivotal for the nation’s progress, stating, “When states cooperate as ‘Team Bharat,’ no hurdle is insurmountable.” This MoU is notably the fourth water-sharing agreement finalized at the state level in 2023, showcasing significant improvements to irrigation, rural development, and access to potable water.
The agreement is expected to affect several districts across both states. In Bihar, areas such as Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya, and Patna will benefit from steady irrigation and drinking water supplies. Correspondingly, districts in Jharkhand, including Palamu and Garhwa, are also slated to see enhanced water availability.
In expressing their appreciation, Chief Ministers Soren and Choudhary extended their gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah for their roles in facilitating this crucial agreement.
Reflecting on the year’s achievements, Shah stated that four major interstate water disputes are being resolved through the efforts of the Inter-State Council. Previous agreements include a significant settlement among the beneficiary states of the Narmada Project and arrangements for ambitious water projects involving the Yamuna River and the Kishau Multipurpose Dam, all aimed at ensuring sustained water supply and development in various states.
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