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Ranchi: The 26-year-long dispute over Son river water between Bihar and Jharkhand has finally ended. Union Home Minister Amit Shah signed a historic agreement between the two states. Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren signed the MoU in the presence of Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi. During this, Bihar’s Deputy CM and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Jharkhand’s Water Resources Minister Hafiz Ul Hasan were also present.

26 year old dispute over who gets how much water

Jharkhand was formed by the division of Bihar in the year 2000, but no clear formula could be made on the distribution of Son river water. Jharkhand was demanding share on the basis of the old agreement of 1973, due to which there was a deadlock for 26 years.

Now according to the decided formula, out of the total 7.75 MAF water of Son River, 5.75 MAF will be given to Bihar and 2.0 MAF to Jharkhand. CM Samrat Chaudhary called it historic.

In fact, under the Bansagar Agreement of 1973, out of the total 14.25 MAF of Son water, 5.25 MAF was allotted to Madhya Pradesh, 1.25 to Uttar Pradesh and 7.75 MAF to undivided Bihar. There was a dispute regarding the same 7.75 MAF, which has now been resolved. Its foundation was laid in the 27th meeting of the Eastern Regional Council held in Ranchi on July 10, 2025.

These districts of Bihar-Jharkhand will get benefits

Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya and Patna districts of Bihar will get huge benefit from this agreement. Adequate water will be available here for irrigation and drinking water. At the same time, water availability will also increase in Palamu, Garhwa and other areas of Jharkhand. The rural economy and agriculture of both the states will be strengthened.

Indrapuri Reservoir and Son-Phalgu Link Project will get momentum

This agreement has cleared the way for the Indrapuri Reservoir project that was pending for years. This 3809 meter long and 2239 million cubic meter capacity reservoir will provide stability to irrigation in 8 districts of Bihar and will also generate 150 MW electricity.

Besides, the proposed project to connect Son with Falgu river will also gain momentum. This will increase water availability in South Bihar including Gayaji and will facilitate Tarpan and Pind Daan during the Pitru Paksha fair.

CM Samrat Chaudhary and Deputy CM Vijay Chaudhary said that this solution was possible due to the efforts of PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and former CM Nitish Kumar. This will increase trust and cooperation between the two states.