August 31, 2026:With the 1996 Ganges Water-Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India set to expire in December, the West Bengal government has urged New Delhi to ensure that the state’s water, industrial and port-related interests are fully considered before the agreement is renewed.
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), representatives of West Bengal recently raised the state’s concerns at a meeting of an internal committee under India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti. The state delegation also submitted a detailed report outlining the various sectors that depend on the Ganges and the challenges they currently face.
West Bengal’s primary concern is maintaining adequate water flow in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system during the dry season. A senior state government official told PTI that unless the state’s legitimate water requirements are adequately protected under a renewed agreement, several sectors could face serious difficulties.
Maintaining sufficient dry-season flow through the Farakka Barrage into the Bhagirathi-Hooghly system has therefore emerged as a key priority for the state government. Officials say declining river flows have already contributed to a range of problems.
One of the major concerns is the deteriorating navigability of the Hooghly River. Reduced water flow has disrupted navigation, while extensive riverbank erosion continues to affect large areas of Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts both upstream and downstream of the Farakka Barrage.
The West Bengal government argues that declining water flow, combined with excessive sediment accumulation, is affecting not only the river system but also inland navigation and port operations. It has therefore called for these issues to receive greater attention during negotiations between India and Bangladesh over a renewed water-sharing agreement.
The state has also linked excessive sedimentation to recurring flood risks in several areas. The accumulation of silt is reportedly affecting the operations of Kolkata’s Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, where navigation by vessels has increasingly been hampered by sediment buildup.
Beyond river navigation and port activities, West Bengal has also raised concerns about water-related public health risks. The state government has expressed alarm over declining groundwater levels and increasing arsenic contamination in parts of the state.
A state official said West Bengal’s dependence on the Ganges is growing as the river is increasingly used to meet a range of essential needs. Water from the river is treated for drinking purposes and is also used for irrigation and by certain industries.
Against this backdrop, the West Bengal government wants any renewed agreement to take into account the state’s growing water requirements while also ensuring environmental sustainability, addressing riverbank erosion and maintaining adequate flows in downstream areas.
State officials believe the next agreement should go beyond simply determining the volume of water to be shared between the two countries. They argue that navigability, sediment management, port operations, irrigation, industrial requirements and environmental concerns should all be considered as part of an integrated approach to managing the river system.
The 1996 Ganges Water-Sharing Treaty was signed by Bangladesh and India for a period of 30 years. With the agreement due to expire in December 2026, negotiations over its renewal are entering a crucial phase for both countries.
Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)