Odisha to move SC for Tribunal to resolve Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh

17 September, Bhubaneswar

Odisha government will approach the Supreme Court for setting up of Tribunal under Interstate Water Dispute Act 1956 as the tripartite meeting convened by Union Water Resource Ministry at New Delhi today failed to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhatisgarh.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who attended the meeting, insisted that the Chhattisgarh government should stop all construction activities on the upstream of Mahanadi river.

But Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh did not give any assurance to stop the works forthwith and revisit the projects. He however, insisted on setting up of a Joint Control Board to resolve the issue to which Mr Patnaik did not agree.

The Odisha government was of the view that at this point of time JCB would not be able to protect the interests of state hence the Chief Minister did not agree to the proposal and sounded that government would think of legal option to approach the Supreme Court for setting up of a Tribunal.

The state government, is also contemplating to move the National Green Tribunal as it apprehended that the construction of dams and barrages by the Chhatisgarh government on the upper stream of Mahanadi would pose serious environment threat to the unique biodiversity hotspots of Chilka Lake, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia and Gahirmata sanctuaries.

The tripartite meeting attended by the Chief Minister of Odisha and Chhatisgarh besides officials of both the states, was chaired by Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti, Secretary, Special Secretary, Joint Secretary and senior officers of Central Water Commission were also present at the meeting.