Centre holds meeting with Chhattisgarh, Odisha CMs to advance amicable settlement of Mahanadi water dispute
New Delhi, July 30
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Odisha to facilitate an amicable settlement of the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute, with both states reaffirming their commitment to continue technical consultations in a constructive manner.
The meeting, attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, was also attended by senior officials of Jal Shakti Ministry, the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the two state governments.
The discussions mark another step in the Centre’s efforts to resolve the inter-state river dispute through dialogue, technical cooperation and the principles of cooperative federalism.
Addressing the meeting, Paatil described the Mahanadi as a lifeline for millions of people in both states and stressed that dialogue, mutual trust and technical cooperation remain the most effective means of achieving an equitable, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution.
The meeting reviewed the progress made over the years in efforts to resolve issues related to the sharing of Mahanadi waters. The Centre noted that the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) was constituted on March 12, 2018, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, following a request from the Odisha government, and that its tenure had been extended to ensure adequate opportunity for all parties to present their views.
According to the Ministry, the dispute resolution process has gathered fresh momentum with both states expressing willingness to pursue a negotiated settlement through mutual cooperation and technical consultations.
The meeting also reviewed the work of the Joint Technical Committee, which has held several meetings and reached consensus on a number of technical issues. It took note of the newly expanded Technical Committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission and comprising representatives from both state governments, which held its first meeting on July 29 to carry forward discussions on the remaining technical matters.
Paatil said recent progress in resolving inter-state water issues demonstrates that even complex disputes can be settled through sustained dialogue and consensus-building. He cited the signing of the Yamuna Water Project Agreement, progress in implementing the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award, and consensus on the Modified Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal (MPKC) Link Project as examples of successful cooperative federalism.
Both Chief Ministers appreciated the facilitation provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission and reiterated their commitment to continue technical discussions aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable solution.
Concluding the meeting, the Union Minister said the objective extends beyond resolving the current dispute and seeks to establish a long-term, equitable and sustainable framework for the management of the Mahanadi river basin. He expressed confidence that continued constructive engagement between the two states would pave the way for a durable settlement.BM