Bhubaneswar: BJD MP Dr Sasmit Patra has written an urgent letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, pressing for immediate action following the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal’s strong dissatisfaction with the slow pace of proceedings in the long-standing river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
In the letter dated April 25, 2026, the BJD Rajya Sabha member highlighted the Tribunal’s order passed on April 20, 2026, describing it as a serious adverse signal that could prejudice the state’s interests if not addressed promptly.
Dr. Patra appended the Tribunal order with his letter and urged the Chief Minister to convene an urgent meeting of senior officials from the Water Resources Department, Law Department, and other concerned departments to finalise Odisha’s position.
The MP stressed that the Tribunal has now moved beyond procedural matters and is touching upon substantive issues in the dispute. He pointed out that the Tribunal explicitly recorded its unhappiness with the manner in which the proceedings are being conducted, noting repeated adjournments sought by the parties without any meaningful progress. Despite assurances given on April 11, 2026, the Minutes of the meeting held on April 8, 2026 — concerning the crucial issue of annual water availability in Million Acre Feet (MAF) — remain unfinalised.
“We are not very happy with the manner in which the Proceedings of these References are being conducted. The Proceedings are being adjourned at the requests of the Learned Advocates for the Parties on the ground that they are seriously considering the issues involved in the Proceedings for settlement, but we are constrained to observe that so far no concrete proposal for settlement on any of the disputed issues has been placed on record. However, in the larger public interest of both the States, we give one last opportunity to both the Party States to finalise the Minutes of the meeting held on 08.04.2026 on the issue of Annual Water Availability by the next date. We make it clear that if they are not able to finalise the same or place on record any consensus on any of the issues by the next date, the Tribunal shall proceed with the Proceedings on merits”, the Tribunal observed in its order dated April 20, 2026, which was attached by Dr Patra along with his letter.
According to Dr. Patra, determination of annual water availability is a foundational aspect for water allocation, utilisation rights, and protection of downstream interests in Odisha. Any delay or ambiguity on this core issue could weaken the state’s technical and evidentiary position before the Tribunal.
He also noted that no concrete proposals for settlement on disputed issues have been placed on record so far, which the Tribunal has observed as a lack of seriousness. The Tribunal has granted what it termed a “last opportunity” to both Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The states have been asked to finalise the Minutes of the April 8 meeting on annual water availability and place on record any consensus or concrete proposals on disputed issues by the next date of hearing on May 2, 2026, at 11 AM.
The Tribunal made it clear that failure to do so would result in the matter proceeding on merits, significantly narrowing the scope for negotiated settlement.
