Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, 1996

The 1996 Ganga Water Sharing Treaty establishes how India and Bangladesh divide the dry-season flow of the Ganga at Farakka. It applies annually from 1 January to 31 May, using ten-day periods and the measured availability of water at Farakka.

Allocation formula at Farakka

The treaty divides water according to the flow available during each ten-day period:

• When availability is 70,000 cusecs or less, India and Bangladesh receive equal shares.
• When availability is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs, Bangladesh receives 35,000 cusecs and India receives the balance.
• When availability is 75,000 cusecs or more, India receives 40,000 cusecs and Bangladesh receives the balance.
• From 1 March to 10 May, each country is guaranteed 35,000 cusecs in alternate sets of three ten-day periods.
• The indicative schedule is based on average ten-day flows recorded during 1949-1988.

Low-flow and delivery safeguards

The arrangement combines a fixed formula with consultation for exceptionally low availability.

• If the flow falls below 50,000 cusecs in any ten-day period, the governments must consult immediately and make an equitable adjustment based on fairness and the principle of no harm to either party.
• India must not reduce Bangladesh's allocated water below Farakka, except for reasonable Indian uses not exceeding 200 cusecs before the river reaches the point where both banks lie in Bangladesh.

Implementation and duration

• A Joint Committee, comprising equal numbers of representatives from both countries, monitors daily flows, implements the sharing arrangement and submits annual reports.
• Unresolved differences proceed from the Joint Committee to the Joint Rivers Commission and thereafter to consultations between the two governments.
• The treaty remains in force for 30 years and may be renewed by mutual consent.