Bhubaneswar, Jan 17: A high-level committee of the Odisha government will visit Chhattisgarh on January 31 to hold discussions on the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute, ahead of the next hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal scheduled for February 7, officials said on Saturday.

The panel, headed by Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo, will engage with officials in Raipur to deliberate on Odisha’s concerns over reduced water flow into the State due to upstream projects in Chhattisgarh. The visit is expected to strengthen Odisha’s case before the tribunal and explore avenues for cooperative resolution.

In preparation, the Odisha government has convened an all-party meeting on January 23 in Bhubaneswar to finalise its stand. Leaders from the BJD, BJP, Congress, and other parties, along with civil society representatives, will participate. Commerce and Transport Minister Suresh Pujari and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan are also part of the committee.

The tribunal, constituted in March 2018, is set to complete its tenure in March 2026. Odisha has urged the Centre to extend the tenure to ensure a comprehensive resolution of the dispute. Officials said the State government has facilitated logistical arrangements, including helicopter services, for the inspection teams of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

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The Mahanadi dispute has remained a contentious issue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, with Odisha alleging that upstream barrages and dams have curtailed water flow, affecting irrigation, drinking water supply, and ecological balance in downstream districts. Chhattisgarh has maintained that its projects are within permissible limits.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the committee to adopt a firm yet constructive approach during the talks. “Odisha’s interests must be safeguarded, but dialogue remains the best path forward,” he said.

The upcoming visit and tribunal hearing are seen as crucial steps in resolving one of eastern India’s most significant inter-State water disputes, which has implications for agriculture, industry, and livelihoods across the Mahanadi basin.