Patna, October 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday said the state’s rivers, water resources and population should not be viewed as weaknesses but as its greatest strengths and drivers of prosperity.
Addressing a one-day seminar on ‘Ganga Water Pact: Water Security of Bihar’, organised by the Water Resources Department at Chanakya Hotel in Patna, the Chief Minister said adequate water availability was essential for the overall development of Bihar, agricultural expansion and industrial growth.
Choudhary inaugurated the seminar by ceremonially pouring Ganga water into a ceremonial urn. He said the state needed sufficient water for drinking purposes, irrigation of agricultural fields and industrial operations. He stressed that Bihar’s interests must receive the highest priority in matters related to the Ganga water and Farakka agreements.
The Chief Minister said the long-pending dispute between Bihar and Jharkhand over the sharing of water from the Son River, which had remained unresolved for nearly 25 years, had been settled with the assistance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Under the agreement, Bihar would receive three-fourths of the water. He described this as a significant achievement towards better management of the state's water resources.
State-level policy for silt management
Choudhary said the state government had formulated a state-level policy on silt management. Scientific removal and utilisation of silt from the Ganga and other rivers would be ensured.
The government would explore ways to make river silt and soil available for public use and for road construction and other infrastructure projects. An agreement would be reached between the Bihar Government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to facilitate its removal and utilisation. He also emphasised the need for a comprehensive national-level policy on silt management.
Highlighting the importance of constructing and strengthening embankments along the Ganga, the Chief Minister said it was necessary to understand the river's flow and management scientifically and plan interventions accordingly.
He suggested that experts attending the seminar should undertake an aerial survey of the Ganga to assess the river's actual condition, water flow and silt accumulation. Such an exercise would help them provide effective recommendations.
Water resources can create new opportunities
The Chief Minister said Bihar's rivers offered immense opportunities for the state. Proper management of water and silt could create new opportunities in agriculture, industry, infrastructure development and employment.
He said the state government aimed to generate employment and job opportunities for one crore people, and better utilisation of water resources would play an important role in achieving this target.
“Our resolve is to make Bihar's rivers the foundation of the state's economic prosperity,” he said, adding that scientific management of water resources, expert advice and support from the Central Government would help Bihar reach new heights of development.
During the programme, Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh welcomed the Chief Minister by presenting him with a green plant, an angavastram and a memento.
The Chief Minister also released a commemorative publication on water security. A short film on floods and water management was screened during the event.
Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha also addressed the gathering.
The event was attended by Chief Minister's Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, water experts from various fields, engineers, senior officials and other distinguished guests.
