New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday expressed confidence that the long-pending interstate dispute over the sharing and management of Mahanadi river water with Chhattisgarh would be resolved before the upcoming Diwali following a high-level meeting convened by the Centre in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Majhi said he was hopeful that all interstate disputes related to Mahanadi water sharing would be settled before Diwali, enabling both Odisha and Chhattisgarh to jointly celebrate the festival after bringing the prolonged issue to a mutually acceptable conclusion.
The meeting, chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and attended by the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, brought together Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for their first face-to-face discussions on the issue. The deliberations lasted for about an hour.
During the meeting, the Odisha Chief Minister reiterated the state’s stand, stressing that Odisha’s rights over Mahanadi waters, protection of its water resources and the interests of the state’s farming community remained the government’s highest priorities.
“Today in New Delhi, I attended a crucial meeting on Mahanadi water sharing and management, chaired by Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil Ji, along with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Ji. Odisha’s position was articulated firmly and unequivocally, placing the rights of our people, the interests of our farmers and the protection of the State’s water resources above all else. We remain committed to securing an amicable, equitable and lasting resolution through constructive dialogue, mutual cooperation and goodwill between both States.,” Majhi said in a post on X.
According to the Odisha government, the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere, with both states agreeing to pursue a permanent solution through dialogue, cooperation and consensus. The Chhattisgarh government also agreed to resolve the long-standing dispute through continued discussions.
As part of the agreed roadmap, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, the Central Water Commission (CWC) and senior officials from both states will hold continuous technical-level discussions over the next three months. The process will focus on data-driven assessment to ensure scientific distribution, management and conservation of Mahanadi river water.
The fresh round of engagement is being viewed as a significant step towards resolving one of the most contentious interstate water disputes, with both states expressing optimism that a mutually acceptable and lasting solution can be achieved within the next three months.
