Bhubaneswar: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai on Sunday asserted that the Mahanadi water issue is “neither a dispute nor a problem” and will be resolved very soon, citing the presence of BJP governments in both Chhattisgarh and Odisha as well as at the Centre.
Speaking to the media after arriving at Bhubaneswar airport on a two-day visit to Odisha, Sai said the common political leadership at the state and central levels has created a conducive atmosphere for an amicable settlement.
“There are BJP governments in both states and a BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. So there will be no conflict situation. Mahanadi water is neither a dispute nor a problem. This problem will be resolved very soon,” the Chief Minister said.
He noted that after the BJP came to power, water disputes between various states are being resolved. “The dispute that existed between Chhattisgarh and Odisha is not a dispute at all. It will be resolved very soon,” Sai added.
Referring to recent discussions, Sai said the matter had already been deliberated upon with the Chief Ministers of both states and officials in Delhi. “We have given our consent to the Central Water Commission (CWC). We will follow the CWC’s instructions for the benefit of the two states. There is no problem; the problem takes time to resolve. It will be resolved soon,” he stated.
Sai’s remarks come amid long-standing concerns over the sharing of Mahanadi river water between the two neighbouring states.
