The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a landmark agreement between Bihar and Jharkhand on sharing water from the Sone River. Union Home Minister Amit Shah oversaw the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, which ends a dispute that had persisted for nearly 25 years. The agreement will affect millions of farmers and residents across both states who depend on the river for irrigation and drinking water.
What the agreement covers
Under the MoU, water from the Sone River will be made available to eight districts in Bihar: Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya, and Patna. In Jharkhand, the agreement ensures water supply to Palamu, Garhwa, and neighbouring regions.
The agreement serves two main purposes. First, it will provide irrigation water to large numbers of farmers across rural areas of both states. Second, it guarantees access to drinking water for the general population in these regions.
The Home Minister noted that this is the fourth water-sharing agreement between states completed this year through the Inter-State Council. Three other agreements were signed earlier in 2026: one among Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh regarding the Narmada Award on 7 July; another between Rajasthan and Haryana on the Yamuna Water Project on 29 June; and a third among six states for the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project on 16 June.
What this means for you
If you are a farmer or resident in the affected districts of Bihar or Jharkhand, this agreement means more reliable access to water for your fields and homes. The settlement removes uncertainty that had lasted nearly a quarter-century and allows both states to plan water use without ongoing disputes. Water projects can now move forward without legal delays, potentially improving agricultural productivity and water supply in rural areas.