A six-member delegation from Bangladesh is expected to arrive in Kolkata on Thursday to discuss the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. The four-day visit includes a scheduled measurement of river water flow through the Farakka Barrage.
Delegation Composition
According to sources, the team is led by Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) member Md Anwar Kadir. The delegation will attend the 90th joint committee meeting of the JRC in Kolkata. Other members include hydrology expert Md Sazzad Hossain, JRC director Mohammad Abu Sayed, and Md Baky Billah, director (South Asia I) of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Treaty Background
The Ganges Water Treaty, signed in 1996, is set to expire in December 2026. The last meeting on the treaty's implementation was held in Dhaka in April this year. Those talks focused on ensuring equitable water distribution during the critical dry season and resolving trans-boundary river management issues before the pact expires.
Water Sharing Formula
Sources said the treaty establishes a 30-day water sharing formula for the lean season, from January to May, at the Farakka Barrage. Accordingly, the delegation will visit the joint flow measurement site at the Farakka Barrage in line with treaty guidelines. In the previous meeting in Dhaka, officials also conducted joint flow measurement activities at the Hardinge Bridge on the Padma River to verify downstream water allocations.
Additional Context
The visit underscores ongoing efforts between India and Bangladesh to manage shared water resources. The delegation's work is expected to contribute to the treaty's renewal discussions, which are crucial for water security in both countries during dry months.
