# Ahead of Ganga Water Treaty Renewal with Bangladesh, Bihar Demands Scientific Assessment of Basin Needs for 2050

> With the 30-year Ganga water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh set to expire in December 2026, Bihar has called for a fresh scientific evaluation of water requirements for basin states up to 2050.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Bihar · **Published:** 2026-08-10 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/bihar/bangladesh-ke-satha-gnga-jala-samajhaute-ke-navinikarana-se-pahale-bihar-ne-uthai-manga-2050-taka-ki-jaruraton-ka-vaijnanika-akala-15664 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Ganga Water Treaty, Farakka Barrage, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Bihar Water Crisis, India Bangladesh Relations, Water Resources

The landmark three-decade-old water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh over the Ganga River is approaching its expiration date, sparking intense debate over regional water security. Signed on December 12, 1996, the 30-year bilateral agreement is set to conclude on December 12, 2026. Ahead of this critical deadline, calls have emerged from Bihar urging the Central Government not to renew the pact in its current form. Representatives argue that before entering any new formal agreement, a comprehensive scientific assessment must be conducted to evaluate the future water requirements of Indian Ganga basin states up to the year 2050, reflecting significant hydrological and demographic shifts over the past 30 years.

## Expiration of the 30-Year Agreement and Basin Challenges
The Ganga Water Treaty was established on December 12, 1996, to regulate the allocation of surface water at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal. Under the provisions of the agreement, water is shared based on a predefined formula during the lean season, which spans from January 1 to May 31 each year when river flows drop significantly. A Joint Committee comprising officials from both nations monitors the implementation and daily water distribution under the treaty.

Article XII of the agreement mandates a 30-year duration, specifying that the treaty may be renewed through mutual consent between India and Bangladesh. The end of 2026 represents a crucial juncture for transboundary water diplomacy in South Asia. However, policymakers and hydrology experts in Bihar contend that the original 1996 formula failed to adequately factor in the long-term upstream requirements of Indian states situated along the Ganga basin.

## Bihar's Evolving Water Landscape and Vision for 2050
Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, JDU National Working President and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha emphasized that the baseline conditions used to draft the agreement three decades ago no longer reflect ground reality. Groundwater levels in several districts of South Bihar have experienced severe depletion, dramatically increasing the state's reliance on Ganga surface water for domestic drinking supplies and agricultural irrigation.

To address this growing strain, the state has proposed a forward-looking scientific study mapping out the water demands of all Ganga basin states up to 2050. Official assessments conducted by Bihar indicate that the state will require an additional 2,000 cusecs of water to support its projected population growth, expanding urban centers, and agricultural needs in the coming decades.

## 2,000 Cusecs vs 900 Cusecs: Differing Figures and Recommendations
Discussions around Bihar's future allocation have brought forward two distinct figures. While Bihar's state assessment cited in Parliament calls for an additional 2,000 cusecs, a report emerging in 2026 presents a different figure. An internal committee formed to review the Farakka arrangement recommended an allocation of 900 cusecs to meet Bihar's drinking water and industrial priorities during the lean season.

The variance between the 2,000 cusecs requested by state representatives and the 900 cusecs proposed by the review committee underscores the necessity for thorough research. Analysts argue that focusing narrowly on immediate industrial requirements is insufficient, stressing that long-term agricultural stability and groundwater recharge must remain central to any final allocation framework.

## Farakka Barrage, Siltation, and Bihar's Dual Crisis
Highlighting the historical context, noted geographer Prof. RB Singh pointed out that Farakka Barrage was originally constructed to preserve navigation at Kolkata Port and maintain adequate flushing flows in the Hooghly River. However, the subsequent Ganga Water Treaty signed on December 12, 1996, under the UPA government of that period created unintended consequences for Bihar's water availability. During dry months, reduced flow upstream leads to acute water stress across several regions of the state.

Furthermore, Bihar contends with a unique dual water crisis. While northern districts endure recurrent annual flooding, southern districts frequently suffer from acute drought conditions and depleted water tables during summer. Severe siltation upstream of Farakka Barrage has compounded the problem by reducing the river's carrying capacity, exacerbating flood spillover during the monsoon and obstructing smooth flows during dry periods. Bihar has repeatedly advocated for modernized silt management and water storage solutions to harvest excess monsoon discharge for dry season usage.

## Diplomatic Context, Technical Assessments, and the Way Forward
In February 2026, the Center informed the Lok Sabha that formal diplomatic negotiations between India and Bangladesh regarding the treaty's renewal had not yet officially commenced. Subsequent reports, however, indicated that technical processes to measure actual river discharge and ground conditions had been initiated.

The imperative for a fresh evaluation is also supported by international policy research. In 2026, the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) noted that shifting hydrological patterns and climate change make a thorough review of the 1996 framework essential. Altered rainfall cycles, changing glacier melt dynamics, and rising global temperatures are altering river discharge across the Himalayan basin. Consequently, renewing the Farakka agreement cannot remain a routine diplomatic extension; it requires incorporating the scientific needs of basin states like Bihar through 2050 to ensure sustainable water security.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** It shapes transboundary river diplomacy and Ganga basin management, influencing how shared water resources are negotiated with neighbor nations.
- **In Bihar:** A fresh scientific assessment for 2050 needs could secure higher surface water allocations, alleviating summer drinking shortages and boosting irrigation in South Bihar.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When was the Farakka Water Treaty signed and what is its duration?
The treaty was signed between India and Bangladesh on December 12, 1996, with a 30-year tenure ending on December 12, 2026.

### 2. What demand has Sanjay Kumar Jha placed before the Central Government?
He requested that instead of renewing the 1996 pact as is, a fresh scientific evaluation of water needs for Ganga basin states up to 2050 should be conducted.

### 3. How much additional water has been projected for Bihar's future needs?
Bihar state estimates project a requirement of 2,000 cusecs of additional water, whereas a review committee recommended 900 cusecs for lean season needs.

### 4. What water crisis does Bihar face in relation to Farakka Barrage?
During lean months, Bihar faces surface water shortage and falling groundwater levels in South Bihar, compounded by heavy siltation that aggravates floods and droughts.

### 5. Have formal talks begun between India and Bangladesh regarding renewal?
As informed to Lok Sabha in February 2026, formal diplomatic negotiations had not commenced, though technical assessments of water flow were initiated.

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