The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Water Resources was informed on Thursday that strong assurances have been received regarding the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India, commonly known as the Farakka Treaty.
The committee was also informed that the main implementation work of the Teesta Master Plan is expected to begin next year.
The first meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Water Resources was held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with committee chairman Mohammad Shofiqul Haque Milon MP presiding.
The meeting discussed various initiatives, including advance preparations to prevent river erosion and tree plantation programmes.
The committee was informed that the Padma Barrage Project has already been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
A presentation was made before the committee outlining the overall activities of the Ministry of Water Resources, including ongoing development programmes, project progress, implementation timelines and allocations.
According to the presentation, 93 development projects are currently being implemented under the ministry, with Tk 7,832.80 crore allocated for the projects in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The committee called for completing the development projects within their stipulated timelines, ensuring proper and efficient use of allocated funds and taking more effective measures to improve public services.
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed by Bangladesh and India on December 12, 1996, for 30 years and is due to expire in December 2026.
The treaty governs the sharing of Ganges water at India’s Farakka Barrage during the dry season, from January 1 to May 31 each year, based on a 10-day schedule.
Under the agreement, when the flow is 70,000 cusecs or less, Bangladesh and India receive 50% each. If the flow is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs, Bangladesh receives 35,000 cusecs while India gets the remainder.
When the flow is 75,000 cusecs or more, India receives 40,000 cusecs and Bangladesh gets the remainder.
With the treaty approaching expiry, its renewal has emerged as a key water-sharing issue between the two countries amid concerns over declining dry-season flows, climate change, rising water demand and ecological impacts on downstream areas.