Balangir, Nov 3: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday said his government is concerned about the Mahanadi water dispute with neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

Addressing the media here, CM Majhi said he has already held discussions with his Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai twice on the Mahanadi water dispute.

“Our government is concerned about the Mahanandi river issue and giving it all importance. Discussion on the Mahanadi issue is going on and I personally held discussions with the Chhattisgarh chief minister twice during courtesy meetings,” said Majhi, who is also in charge of the Water Resources Department.

CM Majhi, who was on a two-day visit to Balangir district, also said that the State government is also giving emphasis on expediting the proposed barrages, dam projects on Mahanadi river in Odisha.

The Chief Minister also alleged that the previous BJD government had neglected the district even though there was no dearth of strong political leadership in Balangir.

CM Majhi assured that the injustice done by the previous BJD government will be corrected and all ongoing projects expedited.

During his two-day visit to Balangir, the Chief Minister on Saturday laid the foundation stone for development of Tusura airstrip’s 1,330-metre runway at a cost of Rs 65 crore. Post-development, the airstrip will be categorised as 2-B, enabling direct flights between Balangir and Bhubaneswar.

CM Majhi also laid the foundation stone for the Upper Lanth irrigation project in Belapada block worth over Rs 300 crore. This project will irrigate over 15,000 acre of land in both kharif and rabi seasons benefiting 38,000 farmers from 25 villages in Belapada block. Additionally, the project will generate 210 kilowatts electricity.

Among the projects inaugurated by CM Majhi included a Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH) and a dialysis centre at Patnagarh and Titlagarh. He also laid the foundation stone of a bypass road for Patnagarh town.

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