Union home minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting today in Delhi to discuss and potentially resolve the long-standing issue of Mahanadi water dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Apart from the chief ministers, the meeting was also attended by jal shakti minister, chairman of the Central Water Commission, chief secretaries of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, and senior officials from the ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Water Commission and both state governments, reported news agency ANI. During the meeting, both the chief ministers — Chhattisgarh’s Vishnu Deo Sai and Odisha’s Mohan Charan Majhi — put forth the position of their respective states. It comes months after both the chief ministers held discussions regarding the decade-long issue in July under the chairmanship of jal shakti minister CR Patil and agreed to continue technical-level deliberations aimed at finding an amicable settlement to the dispute. He added that the state would approach any outcome reached through consultations with Odisha in a positive spirit.
Sai has called for a fair and sustainable resolution to the long-standing Mahanadi water-sharing dispute with Odisha and said that the river should serve as a source of cooperation rather than division between the two states. Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s stake in the dispute, Sai said the Mahanadi originates in the state and that more than half of its catchment area lies within its boundaries. He said the water requirements of Chhattisgarh’s farmers, irrigation sector and tribal areas must be taken into account in any settlement. Sai also underlined the close social, cultural and historical ties between Chhattisgarh and Odisha, referring to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi as his “younger brother”. He said the two states shared an understanding of the challenges faced by forest regions and the importance of ensuring adequate water for farmers. Invoking the cultural connection associated with Lord Jagannath, Sai said the tradition extended from Shivrinarayan in Chhattisgarh to Puri in Odisha. He said the Mahanadi should similarly become a bridge for cooperation, development and mutual trust. Expressing confidence in the mediation efforts of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Sai said Chhattisgarh would extend full cooperation to the scientific and transparent technical assessment being conducted by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
