Mutual Dialogue Will Resolve Mahanadi Row: Chhattisgarh Minister

Photograph: Suprakash Mishra

Bhubaneswar: Chhattisgarh Health and Family Welfare minister T.S. Singhdeo, who is also the Congress’ Odisha in-charge, on Wednesday expressed hope of an early resolution to the ongoing dispute with Odisha over sharing of Mahanadi water.

“I’m quite hopeful that the ongoing row over Mahanadi waters between the two states will be resolved soon through mutual dialogue,” Singhdeo told journalists here. “Chhattisgarh is the younger brother of Odisha. The two brothers will solve the problem if they sit together.”

Talking about utilisation of Mahanadi waters by the Odisha government, Singhdeo said about 80 per cent of the downstream river water goes to the sea during monsoon. “The Odisha government should seriously think over the matter and take necessary measures to conserve the water for its proper utilisation during the non-monsoon season,” he said.