Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, on Thursday assured that the long-standing Mahanadi water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh will be resolved soon.
The Mahanadi River, a crucial water source for both Odisha and Chhattisgarh, has been at the center of a prolonged dispute. Odisha has raised concerns over the construction of industrial barrages by Chhattisgarh, which allegedly reduce water flow to the state during the non-monsoon period. Despite several attempts, an inter-state agreement has yet to be reached.
Odisha is arguing that Chhattisgarh has been constructing dams and weirs (small dams) upstream the Mahanadi River. This is being allegedly carried on by the Chhattisgarh government without consulting Odisha. “We will resolve the dispute soon,” the minister said talking to the media on the sideline of a ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Minister Patil stated, “The tribunal is leaving no stone unturned to resolve the matter as soon as possible. We are committed to finding a fair and equitable solution that benefits both states.”
Participating in the programme, Patil also highlighted the importance of tree planting and cleanliness drives, aligning with the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat mission. “We have organised over 10 lakh programs in rural areas to promote cleanliness and environmental conservation,” he added.
