Bhubaneswar: In a significant development in the long-standing Mahanadi water sharing dispute, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has expressed his government’s readiness to consider Odisha’s proposal for an amicable settlement of the issue.
On July 23, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote to his Chhattisgarh counterpart, emphasising that the ongoing dispute over the distribution of Mahanadi water can be amicably resolved through negotiations between both states with the Centre’s support.
Sai acknowledged receiving the letter and stated that the matter is under consideration, keeping the option for a negotiated resolution open.
Hearing deferred
Following this development, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal deferred its hearing to September 6.
It was scheduled for August 2 after being deferred earlier as Odisha and Chhattisgarh initiated informal talks at the highest political level to break the deadlock.
Odisha Advocate General (AG) Pitambar Acharya said that both states have begun exploring an amicable resolution to the dispute and there has been progress in discussions at both the Chief Secretary and political levels. He added that the Odisha government believes a breakthrough is possible if the matter is approached with a “positive mindset” by the chief ministers of both states.
He submitted the August 23 letter and draft minutes of a meeting chaired by CM Majhi.
The Senior Advocate for Chhattisgarh also confirmed that the dispute settlement is being reviewed by their Chief Minister.
The tribunal has asked secretaries of Odisha and Chhattisgarh to attend the hearing and apprise it of the settlement talks status.
The long-standing dispute
The dispute centres around Chhattisgarh’s alleged unilateral diversion of the Mahanadi water through upstream barrages and irrigation projects, significantly reducing the flow of water into Odisha affecting agriculture and livelihoods in the lower basin areas, particularly in the non-monsoon season.
In November 2016, Odisha moved the Supreme Court seeking the formation of a tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. Following which, the Centre in march 2018 constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar. The proceedings continued between 2018 and 2023 with data submissions, arguments, and inspections from both states.
While Odisha flagged ecological and livelihood concerns, Chhattisgarh defended its right to utilise water within its boundaries.
The tribunal, which had been largely inactive in recent years, saw renewed attention following the appointment of a new chairperson in December 2024 when Justice Bela M Trivedi took over the role from Justice Khanwilkar. Along with this, there have been political efforts to de-escalate the situation with Odisha proposing bilateral dialogue for an amicable settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.
