Argus News - Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal Tenure Extended; Next Hearing on April 20

New Delhi, Apr 11: In a major step toward resolving the long-standing Mahanadi river water dispute, the Central Government has extended the tenure of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) by one more year, pushing its deadline to January 13, 2027.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, issued an official notification confirming the extension. Originally scheduled to conclude on April 14, 2026, the Tribunal’s tenure has now been prolonged following requests from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh, granting an additional nine months for deliberations.

This extension comes at a critical juncture, as discussions between the two states over the sharing and management of Mahanadi waters remain ongoing.
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Law Minister’s Take

Reacting to the developments, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan welcomed the extension of the Tribunal’s tenure until January.

“Earlier, the dispute was being addressed only through legal arguments. Now, the Tribunal is encouraging reconciliation and mutual understanding. Since more time was needed, the extension is appropriate. We are confident that the Mahanadi water dispute will be resolved,” said Harichandan.

Next Hearing on April 20

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) has scheduled its next hearing for April 20. In the latest session, Odisha’s Advocate General Pitambar Acharya submitted comprehensive data and highlighted the constructive progress achieved through ongoing dialogue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

The Tribunal directed that the report prepared by assessors during last month’s regional inspection be included in the proceedings.

Since August 2025, technical teams from both states have met 13 times, calculating average water flow and total discharge in the Mahanadi. This data was formally submitted by Odisha’s Advocate General during the hearing.

The Supreme Court has asked both states to list issues that have been resolved through discussions or mutual agreement. Acharya noted that meetings at the level of Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries, and senior officials have successfully advanced consensus-building.

He added that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also engaged with both states, urging a negotiated settlement.

Acharya further appealed to the Tribunal to instruct the Central Water Commission (CWC) to clear pending proposals related to projects on the Ib and Tel rivers. These projects, he argued, are vital for Odisha and require timely approval.

The hearing was conducted before a bench comprising Justice Bela M. Trivedi, Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan, and Justice Indermeet Kaur Kochhar. Odisha’s Principal Secretary of Water Resources, Shubha Sharma, and Advocate General Acharya were present.

About the Tribunal

The MWDT was established in 2018 to address disputes between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Since its formation, the Tribunal has been examining technical data, hydrological studies, and submissions from both states to arrive at a fair resolution.

Odisha has consistently raised concerns that Chhattisgarh’s construction of barrages and increased water usage upstream has adversely impacted downstream flow into Odisha. The Tribunal’s extended timeline ensures that hearings, technical evaluations, and evidence submissions will continue without abrupt closure, offering Odisha some relief.