Bihar Cabinet clears decks for construction of Indrapuri reservoir project

In an important decision, the Bihar cabinet on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) cleared the decks for the construction of the Indrapuri reservoir project following an agreement reached between Bihar and Jharkhand for the sharing of water for irrigation and other purposes.

Reviewing the Water Resources Department’s proposal, it approved a “draft agreement” (MoU) to be signed between Bihar and Jharkhand, Cabinet Secretariat Department Additional Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters in Patna during the post cabinet briefing.

The decision was taken following the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) approval of the draft agreement, he said, adding that the Indrapuri Reservoir Project will further strengthen the irrigation facility in the farmland of eight districts of Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Patna, Gaya Ji and Arwal.

As per the Bansagar agreement, signed in 1973, is a pact between Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for sharing the Sone river water. As per the agreement, undivided Bihar was to get 7.75 Million Acre Feet (MAF) of water. Mr. Chaudhary said that following the bifurcation of Bihar in the year 2000, Jharkhand demanded its share of Sone river water and did not give its assent to the Indrapuri reservoir project because of its demand for its share of water.

The issue, which has kept the project pending for years, was resolved at 27th Eastern Regional Conference held on July 10, 2025 in Ranchi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the meeting during which Bihar’s Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary put Bihar’s side effectively and firmly in order to resolve the issue.

Following the agreement reached between Bihar and Jharkhand at the conference, out of undivided Bihar’s share of 7.75 MAF of water, Bihar will get 5.75 MAF of water while Jharkhand will get 2.0 MAF as its share, Mr. Chaudhary said.

It also approved Rs 155.38 crore for installation of 9073 CCTVs in 53 jails across the state, Mr.Chaudhary said adding that the amount would be spent on CCTV cameras, software, field infrastructure, fiber network, local monitoring cost at jail end, manpower cost, consultancy cost contingency. Besides, integration of CCTV cameras, that have already been installed in eight jails, will also be carried out.

Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (BELTRON), Patna will carry out the installation of CCTVs in 53 jails of the state, he added.

The cabinet also decided to hand over Bihar Vikas Mission the responsibility of supervising and monitoring the state government’s ambitious programme of “Saat Nischay-3” aimed at putting Bihar into developed states of the country in next five years.

The cabinet also sanctioned Rs 30 crore for Bihar Advocates Welfare Trust Committee for the welfare of enrolled lawyers of the state, Chaudhary said adding that it would help giving Rs 5000 per month as stipend to all new advocates registered on or after January 01, 2024. The allocation of funds will also help in giving Rs 5 lakh to bar associations for setting up e-libraries.

The cabinet gave its administrative approval of Rs 314.20 crore for construction of Bihar Bhawan in Mumbai, he said.

The cabinet, which was chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved a total of 43 agenda including two legislative bills