Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Sanjay Jha Opposes Ganga Treaty Renewal Over Bihar Water Share
Sanjay Kumar Jha says Bihar is not getting enough water from the Ganga.
He wants India not to renew its water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh.
The agreement was signed in 1996 and is due to expire in December.
Jha says Bangladesh receives more assured water than Bihar during the dry months.
He described this as unfair to Bihar, though these figures and allegations came from him.
He also says extra mud, called silt, near the Farakka Barrage makes floods worse.
If the agreement is renewed, he wants Bihar’s future water needs to be considered.
Jha raised these concerns after a political tour through several Bihar districts.
Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha urged the Centre not to renew the Ganga water-sharing treaty with Bangladesh when it expires in December.
Jha alleged that Bihar has been deprived of water for 30 years under the agreement signed in 1996.
He claimed Bangladesh receives 1,500 cumecs of assured water while only about 400 cumecs reaches Bihar at Buxar during the dry season.
Jha said the Centre should consider Bihar’s projected water needs through 2050 if the treaty is renewed.
He also linked silt accumulation near the Farakka Barrage to worsening floods in Bihar and criticised the treaty’s original political supporters.
- Who
- Sanjay Kumar Jha, national working president of the Janata Dal (United), urged the Centre to reconsider the agreement with Bangladesh.
- What
- Jha opposed renewing the Ganga water-sharing treaty unless Bihar’s water requirements are included.
- When
- The treaty expires in December; it was signed on December 12, 1996. Jha made the remarks on Thursday after the first phase of the Nitish Samvad Yatra.
- Where
- At the Janata Dal (United) headquarters, after a tour covering Buxar, Bhojpur, Begusarai and Khagaria in Bihar.
- Why
- Jha alleged that Bihar has lost a substantial share of Ganga water and that silt linked to the Farakka Barrage worsens flooding.
- Treaty
- The Ganga water-sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh was signed on December 12, 1996.
- Treaty duration
- The agreement is a 30-year arrangement and is due to expire in December.
- Water allocation claim
- Jha said Bangladesh receives 1,500 cumecs of assured water from January 1 to May 31.
- Bihar inflow claim
- Jha said only about 400 cumecs enters Bihar at Buxar during that period.
- Jha’s demand
- He urged the Centre not to renew the treaty, or to include Bihar’s projected needs through 2050.
- Flood concern
- Jha linked silt accumulation on Bihar’s side of the Farakka Barrage to worsening floods.
- Political tour
- The Nitish Samvad Yatra is scheduled to cover 12 districts along the Ganga before ending in Katihar.