Bihar and Jharkhand have signed an MoU on sharing Sone River water, resolving a dispute that had continued for around 25 years since the formation of Jharkhand in 2000. Under the agreement, the earlier allocation of 7.75 million acre-feet (MAF) for undivided Bihar has been divided, with 5.75 MAF allocated to Bihar and 2 MAF to Jharkhand. The agreement is expected to improve the availability of water for irrigation and drinking purposes across several districts. In Bihar, areas including Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya and Patna are expected to benefit, while Palamu, Garhwa and other parts of Jharkhand will also gain improved access to water resources. The settlement is significant because the Sone River is an important source of water for agriculture and local communities in both states. Resolving the long-standing allocation issue could support better water management, irrigation planning and rural development, while reducing the scope for future inter-state disputes over the river.