Bhubaneswar: As many as 42 industrial houses, including government organisations, owe ₹3,797.14 crore in water cess arrears to the Odisha government as of March 2025, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Assembly on Thursday.
In a written reply to a query raised by BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, the Chief Minister said the defaulting industries draw water from major rivers including the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Indravati, Kolab, Rushikulya, Subarnarekha, and Nagavali.
According to the data placed in the House, the highest dues of ₹1,509.28 crore are pending against firms sourcing water from the Kolab River, followed by ₹962.78 crore from the Mahanadi, and ₹822.76 crore from the Brahmani. Similarly, industries lifting water from the Nagavali River owe ₹489.08 crore, while arrears worth ₹1.31 crore, ₹9.35 crore, and ₹2.56 crore are pending against units drawing from the Baitarani, Indravati, and Rushikulya, respectively.
Among the defaulters, Bhusan Power & Steel Ltd, Sambalpur, tops the list with dues of ₹244.10 crore, followed by Ballarpur Industries Ltd (₹195.83 crore), Adhunik Metaliks Ltd, Sundargarh (₹186.65 crore), and Bhusan Steel & Strips Ltd, Dhenkanal (₹185.05 crore). Other major defaulters include ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd, Paradeep (₹108.98 crore), Viraj Steel & Energy Ltd, Sambalpur (₹98.34 crore), Aarti Steel Ltd, Cuttack (₹58.36 crore), and Paradeep Phosphate Ltd (₹45.51 crore).
The disclosure highlights the mounting arrears from industries exploiting the state’s water resources without clearing their statutory obligations.
