Mahanadi Dispute Moves Closer To Settlement After Shah-Chaired Talks
Odisha and Chhattisgarh moved closer to resolving the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute after Amit Shah chaired talks involving both states.
The long-pending Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh appeared to move closer to a negotiated settlement on Thursday after Union home minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting with the chief ministers of the two states and Union Jal Shakti minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the discussions as “cordial and positive” and said the two sides were gradually moving towards a resolution. He expressed hope that a final framework for settling the dispute would be worked out soon, keeping the interests of both states in view.
The meeting at Kartavya Bhawan followed a series of discussions between Odisha and Chhattisgarh since July, when the two chief ministers met under the chairmanship of Mr Patil and agreed to intensify technical consultations with a three-month timeline for finding an amicable solution.
The Central Water Commission has since been examining data and requirements submitted by both states. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had also said last month that both states were prepared to accept a CWC decision taken in their larger interest.
Mr Majhi said he raised Odisha’s concerns relating to irrigation, drinking water, flood management, hydropower and environmental protection, stressing that the state should receive an adequate share of Mahanadi waters.
The dispute dates back several years, with Odisha objecting to upstream projects in Chhattisgarh that it says affect downstream flows, particularly during the non-monsoon period. Chhattisgarh has maintained its right to utilise water for irrigation, industrial and domestic requirements. The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in 2018 after efforts at a negotiated settlement failed.
The latest push for a settlement gained momentum after the July meeting and subsequent administrative-level consultations. The two chief ministers also met in Bhubaneswar on September 20, with Mr Sai subsequently saying that the dispute was no longer a major issue and expressing confidence that it would be resolved soon.
Mr Majhi said the emerging settlement could become a “model dispute resolution” mechanism for other inter-state water disputes, as the Centre seeks to resolve the issue through dialogue, technical cooperation and mutual agreement rather than prolonged litigation.