Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, Odisha and Chhattisgarh on Saturday initiated constructive talks in a bid to resolve the long-standing Mahanadi River water issue.
A high-level meeting, attended by the Chief Secretaries and senior Water Resources officials of both states, was held to discuss the contentious issue of water sharing in the Mahanadi River basin.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in a post on X, shared information regarding the meeting. He said both States agreed to work sincerely and amicably towards a mutually beneficial resolution through dialogue and cooperation.
It was agreed that Technical Committees headed by the EICs of both States will meet weekly in September to identify and resolve critical issues. The Committees will also discuss creation of an institutional framework for stronger coordination on Mahanadi water sharing.
A meeting at the level of Chief Secretaries, along with the Secretaries of Water Resources of both States, will be held in October to review progress and take forward the discussions.
To give further momentum to the process, the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh are expected to meet by December, at a mutually convenient time, to assess progress and work toward a long-term, amicable resolution that prioritizes the interests of people in both states.
The dispute between the two states over the sharing and management of the Mahanadi River’s water resources has been lingering for several years, impacting agriculture, livelihoods, and regional harmony. This renewed commitment to dialogue and cooperation marks a promising step toward resolving the issue.
