Bhubaneswar: The Central government has extended the tenure of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal providing additional time for the resolution of the long-standing river row between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation), the tribunal’s term has now been extended till January 13, 2027. The present tenure is scheduled to end on April 13, 2026.
The extension comes amid ongoing deliberations between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the sharing and management of Mahanadi River waters.
It may be noted that the tribunal was constituted to adjudicate disputes arising from the construction of barrages and water utilisation by Chhattisgarh. Odisha has claimed that the construction of barrages by the neighbouring state is severely affecting the downstream flow.
Following the extension, the tribunal will continue its hearings and examination of technical data, evidence, and submissions from both states. The decision is expected to provide additional time for a comprehensive and fair resolution of the dispute, which has significant implications for irrigation, drinking water supply, and ecological balance in the region.
The move underscores the Centre’s intent to ensure a thorough legal and technical evaluation before arriving at a final verdict in one of the most crucial river water disputes in eastern India.
Notably, the Odisha government had in February urged the Centre to extend the tenure of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) by another nine months.
