Bhubaneswar- In a renewed push to settle the long-pending Mahanadi water-sharing dispute, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting, calling for an amicable resolution through mutual dialogue with Chhattisgarh, supported by the Central government and technical input from the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Emphasizing the need to move beyond administrative delays, the Chief Minister noted that previous efforts by the CWC have yielded limited results. He proposed direct engagement between the two states to break the deadlock and improve bilateral cooperation. “With Centre’s assistance and the right technical backing, a peaceful, dialogue-based solution is within reach,” Majhi stated during the discussion.
The Mahanadi water dispute has long been a source of tension between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, with Odisha alleging that upstream projects in Chhattisgarh are significantly reducing water flow to the lower basin, affecting agriculture and daily life in many districts.
The recent meeting reviewed previous discussions held during national events like the All-India Water Resources Ministers’ Conference in Rajasthan and the World Water Day observance in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, where both Chief Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful resolution.
Officials at the meeting highlighted that regular conversations are underway between senior administrative and technical teams from both states to tackle the legal, technical, and operational complexities of the issue.
Chief Minister Majhi expressed hope that this spirit of cooperation and regular communication would soon lead to a just and lasting solution, ensuring sustainable management of the Mahanadi’s waters for the benefit of both states.
Among those present at the strategic meeting were Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, Water Resources Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sashwat Mishra, along with key engineers and officials from the Water Resources Department.
