PATNA, Feb. 13 -- Water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday that the government would ensure water to every farm in a phased manner by creating 23.38-lakh hectares command area through work under Guarantee for Rojgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G). "The government's endeavour is to ensure water to every farm, as laid down in the third roll out of 7-Resolves. In the first phase (2027-28), 8-lakh hectares command area would be developed, while in 2026-27 additional irrigation potential would be created for 1.20-lakh hectares and lost irrigation potential would be established on 1.15-lakh hectares. Through canal maintenance, water supply to the tail-end will be ensured," he added. Choudhary was speaking after the debate on the Rs.7,127,35-crore budgetary demand of the department, which was passed by voice vote. The Opposition did not stage walkout and the minister also answered to the specific queries of the opposition legislators. He also announced that decks had been cleared for the construction of Indrapuri barrage by resolving the water sharing issues with Jharkhand and it would help improve irrigation facility in Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad and Arwal districts. "Under the agreement, Bihar will get 5.75 million acre feet (MAF) water of Sone river, while Jharkhand will get 2 MAF in line with the Bansagar agreement. The issue had been pending since 2018, and at the eastern zonal council meeting last year under Union home minister Amit Shah, the issue was resolved with the signing of agreement," he added. Choudhary said the government was conscious of the growing need of water for irrigation as well as drinking and was working on multiple projects to augment irrigation potential and ensure drinking water availability in arid regions. "The ultimate irrigation potential of Bihar is 53.53 lakh hectares and the created irrigation potential has now reached 42 lakh hectares. There has been an addition of 11.76 lakh hectares in irrigation potential in the last two decades. In 2005, it could reach just 26.37 lakh hectares since Independence and that speaks of the amount of work carried out during the Nitish government," he added. The minister said the gap of 11.5-lakh hectares of irrigation potential was yet to be bridged and the department was working on creating additional potential of 7.63-lakh hectares. "The Kosi-Mechi link project will alone add irrigation potential for 2.15-lakh hectares in Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Kishanganj, while the Western Gandak Canal (Phase-1) will add another 1.39 lakh hectares and the Eastern Gandak Canal 0.83 lakh hectares," he added. Choudhary said the Central Water Commission had given its approval to three barrages on Bagmati and Mahananda rivers and the detailed project report would be ready by April. "Once completed, they will further augment irrigation potential by around 2-lakh hectares, while the department is also working on re-establishing lost irrigation potential on 9.21-lakh hectares," he added. The minister said the problem of flood in Bihar was due to its geographical location, which made it vulnerable to excessive discharge anywhere in the neighbourhood, as water reached Bengal via the state "The permanent solution of water coming from Nepal is the construction of high dam in the neighbouring country, but due to continued political instability there things have not worked out, though we have also written to the Centre regarding this. Yet, the department has been focussed on flood management, silt management and rejuvenation of water bodies and dried up rivers to make use of surplus water during rainy season....