Mahanadi river water dispute likely to be resolved in 3 months: Majhi

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday expressed confidence that the long-standing Mahanadi river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh would be resolved within the next three months.

An important meeting held in New Delhi was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai, Mr. Majhi, and senior officials from both States and the Centre.

“We strongly presented Odisha’s case, highlighting our rightful share of the river, the future of our farmers, and the need to protect water resources. Discussions have begun to find a permanent solution through constructive and mutual dialogue,” Mr. Majhi told reporters.

He said follow-up meetings involving senior officials of the Central Water Commission and both States would carry the momentum forward over the next three months. “I am hopeful that, as agreed by the Chhattisgarh government, issues relating to the distribution, management, and preservation of Mahanadi waters will be resolved within this timeframe. By Diwali, the dispute should be settled,” he added.

Mr. Majhi noted that the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister also favoured a negotiated settlement. “After Chhattisgarh extended its consent for a mutual resolution, the Union Jal Shakti Minister convened the meeting, which led to highly productive discussions,” he said.

No formal agreement exists

In April, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) had expressed dissatisfaction after both States failed to submit a concrete proposal for settlement, warning it would impose its own formula if they did not act.

The 851-km-long Mahanadi river originates in the Amarkantak hills of Chhattisgarh and flows for 494 km through Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Despite sustaining vast ecosystems and livelihoods, no formal water-sharing agreement exists between the two States.

After Chhattisgarh reportedly built over 500 anicuts and 30 barrages over the river, the scarcity of river water was felt in downstream of Mahanadi. The State government had written several letters to Chhattisgarh, but no solution could be reached out. The primary reason for the continuation of dispute was that there was no river water sharing agreement signed between the two States.

Odisha had approached the Supreme Court in 2018 over the dispute, which eventually led to the formation of the MWDT. In 2024, with the Bharatiya Janata Party in power in both States, Odisha and Chhattisgarh informed the tribunal of their intent to resolve the issue amicably.