Mahanadi River Dispute / Mahanadi Water Dispute Moving Towards Resolution, Says Odisha CM

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Oct 1: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday expressed optimism over the progress made in resolving the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute, stating that discussions between Odisha and Chhattisgarh were moving towards a constructive solution through dialogue and cooperation.

The Chief Minister attended a high-level meeting in New Delhi on the sharing and management of Mahanadi river waters. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Following the meeting, CM Majhi said Odisha's concerns regarding water security, the interests of farmers and the protection of the State's water resources were strongly presented before the stakeholders.

Describing the Mahanadi as the lifeline of Odisha, the Chief Minister said the river serves as a vital source of livelihood and sustenance for millions of people across the State. He noted that the dispute, which has remained unresolved for years, was now progressing towards a meaningful resolution with the support of the Centre.

According to CM Majhi, the Central Water Commission (CWC) had earlier been given a three-month timeline to facilitate progress on the issue. He said two months of the process had already elapsed, with data-sharing and consultations between Odisha and Chhattisgarh proceeding as scheduled.

The Chief Minister attributed the progress to the coordinated efforts of the Centre and the two State governments. He said the issue was being addressed through consultation, cooperation and mutual understanding rather than confrontation.
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CM Majhi further stated that the governments remained committed to finding a lasting and mutually acceptable solution under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the active involvement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He expressed confidence that the eventual settlement of the Mahanadi dispute could emerge as a model for resolving inter-State river water disagreements elsewhere in the country.

The Mahanadi water-sharing issue has been a key concern for Odisha, particularly in relation to irrigation, drinking water supply and water availability in the river basin. The latest round of discussions is being viewed as an important step towards reducing differences between the two neighbouring States and arriving at a sustainable framework for water management.