Mahanadi River Dispute / Amit Shah To Chair Key Meeting On October 1 Over Mahanadi Water Dispute

Bhubaneswar, Sep 28: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will preside over a crucial meeting on October 1 to deliberate on the long‑standing Mahanadi water dispute, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai expected to explore a framework for equitable sharing of the river’s waters, official sources said on Monday.

The meeting comes at a time when the Mahanadi Tribunal is also holding significant hearings. On Monday, the Tribunal recorded submissions made by the Secretary of the Central Water Commission (CWC), who presented detailed data and information related to the dispute. The Tribunal’s order has formally taken these submissions on record, marking another step in the adjudication process.

Officials said that under the mediation of the CWC, discussions between Odisha and Chhattisgarh have intensified in recent weeks, with both sides exploring possible frameworks for water distribution. The aim is to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution that balances Chhattisgarh’s developmental needs with Odisha’s concerns over downstream flow and agricultural dependence.

The Tribunal has fixed its next hearing for October 15, where further progress on the dispute is expected to be reviewed. With parallel efforts underway at both the political and judicial levels, stakeholders believe that the coming weeks could prove decisive in charting a path towards long‑term settlement of the contentious issue.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh CM Begins Two-Day Visit to Odisha, Mahanadi Talks Likely on Agenda

Over the past several years, extensive deliberations have been undertaken at multiple levels on the sharing of Mahanadi waters. Acting on Odisha’s request, the Centre constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) on March 12, 2018 under the Inter‑State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, later extending its tenure to ensure adequate opportunity for all parties to present their views.

Recently, the process has gained further momentum, with both states demonstrating a willingness to pursue an amicable settlement through mutual cooperation and technical consultations.