Patna/New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has welcomed the historic agreement between Bihar and Jharkhand resolving their long-pending dispute over the sharing of Son River waters, describing it as a major achievement in the interest of Bihar and its farmers.
The agreement was reached in New Delhi at a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in the presence of Union Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
CM Samrat Choudhary expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for facilitating the resolution of the dispute, which had remained pending for nearly 26 years.
According to Choudhary, the agreement will significantly improve the availability of irrigation water for farmers in Bihar, strengthening agricultural activity and providing fresh momentum to the state’s rural economy and development.
The settlement is also expected to benefit Jharkhand, ensuring a clearer and more cooperative framework for utilisation of the Son River’s water resources. The agreement therefore marks an important step towards resolving an inter-state issue through dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding.
The Son River is an important water resource for both Bihar and Jharkhand, particularly for agriculture and irrigation. The prolonged disagreement over water sharing had posed challenges for the planning and implementation of water-related projects in the two states.
Welcoming the agreement, the Bihar Chief Minister described it as a historic resolution in the larger interest of both states, emphasising that the outcome would strengthen agricultural development while ensuring benefits for people on both sides.
The development also reflects the broader principle of cooperative federalism, where states work together with the Centre to resolve long-standing issues in the national and regional interest.
In essence, after 26 years of deadlock, the Bihar–Jharkhand Son River water-sharing agreement is expected to strengthen irrigation and agriculture in Bihar while also benefiting Jharkhand, marking a significant success for cooperative federalism.