Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, Aug 2: The long-standing Mahanadi water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh reached a crucial juncture on Saturday as the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal convened for its 43rd hearing in New Delhi.

The hearing comes amid renewed efforts by both states to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than prolonged litigation.

Odisha’s Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, representing the state, reiterated Odisha’s preference for a mutual resolution. He informed the tribunal that informal discussions have taken place between the Chief Ministers and senior officials of both states, focusing on finding a collaborative solution to the dispute.

The conflict, which dates back to 2016, centres around Chhattisgarh’s construction of upstream barrages and dams that allegedly reduce water flow into Odisha’s Hirakud reservoir, especially during the dry season. Odisha contends that these projects threaten the ecological balance and agricultural sustainability in its coastal and delta regions.

Despite 42 previous hearings since the tribunal’s formation in 2018, no conclusive verdict has been reached. The current hearing is expected to assess the progress made through recent inter-state discussions and determine whether the matter can be resolved outside the courtroom.

As both states prepare to present their status reports, Saturday’s hearing could set the tone for either a breakthrough in negotiations or a continuation of the legal battle.

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