Odisha’s all-party committee agrees to pursue an amicable resolution of the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh while continuing legal proceedings
OdishaPlus Bureau
The inaugural meeting of the all-party high-level committee regarding the Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh took place on Tuesday, where members reached a consensus on pursuing an amicable resolution, while simultaneously opting to maintain the integrity of the legal proceedings.
The meeting, presided over by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, included participation from all eight committee members, comprising three ministers Suresh Pujari (Revenue), Prithiviraj Harichandan (Law), and Sampad Chandra Swain (Industries) along with MLAs Saroj Kumar Pradhan (BJP), Niranjan Pujari (BJD), and Sofia Firdous (Congress).
Senior BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra participated in the meeting via virtual means.
“All eight committee members concurred on the necessity of resolving the dispute through negotiation. This responsibility lies with both state governments. The Odisha government will ensure that all state interests are protected during this resolution process,” Singh Deo informed reporters following the meeting.
He further stated that the members received a briefing on the Odisha government’s position regarding the issue, the discussions that have taken place with Chhattisgarh, and the ongoing matters before the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT). He mentioned that relevant documents would be shared with the members before the next meeting.
In a post on X, Singh Deo remarked, “Today, I chaired the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Committee on the Mahanadi dispute. We engaged in constructive discussions aimed at addressing the long-standing issues. The Mahanadi serves as a lifeline for millions, and it is our shared responsibility to protect its flow with equity and foresight for future generations.”
Following the meeting, BJD MLA and former minister Niranjan Pujari remarked, “We expressed the view that a meeting involving all parties should be organized, with stakeholders engaged and the public updated on the measures being undertaken to address the dispute through negotiation. Up to this point, there has not been a single case of resolving a river water dispute through negotiation; all such matters have been settled in courts. Consequently, we must enhance our efforts in the tribunal, while simultaneously pursuing other avenues.”
Congress member Sofia Firdous emphasized that the interests of Odisha should take precedence.
“The citizens of the state must be kept informed. Numerous activists are advocating for Odisha’s interests in the Mahanadi dispute, and they should also be included in the discussions,” she stated.
The contention regarding the sharing of the Mahanadi water between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has reached the tribunal following the establishment of the MWDT in 2018. This tribunal was created after Odisha claimed that the construction of barrages upstream by Chhattisgarh has disrupted the natural flow of water in the Mahanadi.
An official announcement indicated that the next gathering of the all-party committee is scheduled for January 2026, aimed at further solidifying Odisha’s position and progressing towards a peaceful resolution of the Mahanadi water issues.
The Mahanadi River is crucial for Odisha, as millions rely on it for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial purposes.
