Bihar and Jharkhand Resolve 25-Year Son River Water Dispute

The governments of Bihar and Jharkhand signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi on August 31, 2026, resolving a water-sharing dispute over the Son River that had persisted for over 25 years. The agreement allocates 5.75 million acre-feet (MAF) of water to Bihar and 2.00 MAF to Jharkhand.

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, presided over the signing ceremony alongside Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. The conflict began in 2000 following the creation of Jharkhand, as both states claimed shares of the 7.75 MAF originally allocated to undivided Bihar under a 1973 agreement. Jharkhand had sought a larger share of the Bansagar project based on its catchment area, while Bihar relied on the original 1973 pact involving Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary stated the resolution will improve drinking water and irrigation in drought-prone regions and facilitate the Son-Falgu river-linking project for pilgrims in Gaya. The agreement also secures water for residents in districts including Patna and Bhojpur in Bihar, and Palamu and Garhwa in Jharkhand. Amit Shah described the pact as an example of cooperative federalism and the fourth inter-state water agreement reached this year.