Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 1 (ANI): Efforts to search out an amicable decision to the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha acquired a recent push, as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and his Odisha counterpart Mohan Charan Majhi offered their respective states’ positions at a high-level assembly chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah at Kartavya Bhawan as we speak.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the Chairman of the Central Water Commission, the Chief Secretaries of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, and senior officers from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Water Commission and each state governments attended the assembly.
The assembly follows discussions held in July between the 2 Chief Ministers below the chairmanship of the Jal Shakti Minister, throughout which each states agreed to proceed technical-level deliberations aimed toward discovering an amicable settlement to the dispute.
During the assembly, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai outlined his state’s strategy to resolving the dispute, describing the Mahanadi as a river that ought to unite quite than divide the 2 States. He known as for a “win-win” answer based mostly on ideas of equity, scientific evaluation, transparency and long-term sustainability, whereas defending the pursuits of farmers, folks and future generations in each States.
Sai identified that the Mahanadi originates in Chhattisgarh and that greater than half of its catchment space falls throughout the State. He mentioned the water necessities of Chhattisgarh’s farmers, irrigation sector and tribal areas ought to subsequently be duly thought-about as a part of any settlement.
At the identical time, he reiterated Chhattisgarh’s dedication to safeguarding Odisha’s pursuits, describing the Hirakud Dam as very important to the State. He mentioned Chhattisgarh would prolong cooperation for the sleek functioning of the dam whereas taking Odisha’s pursuits under consideration.
Appreciating the initiative taken by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai invoked the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his function in nationwide integration. He mentioned Patel had introduced collectively greater than 500 princely States after Independence and argued that the identical spirit of integration may very well be prolonged to resolving long-standing inter-State disputes by dialogue and consensus.
Sai mentioned resolving disputes over river waters was not merely an administrative train but additionally an necessary step in the direction of strengthening cooperation and unity amongst States. Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, he mentioned efforts have been now additionally being made to deal with long-pending inter-State water disputes.
The Chief Minister cited current progress in resolving water-related points involving Haryana and Rajasthan over the Yamuna, 4 States over the Narmada, and Bihar and Jharkhand over the Sone. He mentioned such developments demonstrated that even complicated and long-standing disputes may very well be addressed by political will, sustained dialogue and cooperative federalism.
“The same resolve that transformed Bastar will also lead to a resolution for the Mahanadi issue.”Drawing a parallel with the Centre’s marketing campaign towards Naxalism in Bastar, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai mentioned the resolve and political will that had pushed efforts to deal with the safety problem might additionally assist discover a lasting answer to the Mahanadi water dispute.
Referring to the Centre’s March 31, 2026 goal for eliminating Naxalism, Sai mentioned the main focus of discussions in Bastar had more and more shifted from violence to improvement. He expressed confidence that sustained political resolve and dialogue might equally assist resolve the decades-old Mahanadi situation.
Calling Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi his “younger brother”, Sai burdened the shut social, cultural and historic ties between the 2 States. He mentioned each States share deep connections with forest areas and that their governments perceive the significance of making certain satisfactory water reaches farmers.
Sai additionally invoked the cultural bond related to Lord Jagannath, saying the custom extends from Shivrinarayan in Chhattisgarh to Puri in Odisha. Against this backdrop, he mentioned, the Mahanadi ought to function a bridge for cooperation, improvement and mutual belief quite than stay a supply of rivalry between the 2 States.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed confidence within the mediation efforts of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the scientific and clear technical evaluation being undertaken by the Central Water Commission (CWC). He mentioned Chhattisgarh would cooperate totally and strategy any final result reached by consultations between the 2 States in a optimistic spirit.
At the assembly in July, the Centre had burdened the necessity for an equitable and sustainable decision by dialogue, technical cooperation and cooperative federalism. An expanded technical committee headed by the CWC chairman has since begun analyzing the pending technical elements of the dispute.
The Mahanadi water-sharing dispute has been pending earlier than the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal since 2018. Political and technical-level engagement between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has intensified in current months. The situation was additionally mentioned throughout a gathering between Sai and Majhi in Bhubaneswar on September 20, when either side expressed hope that continued dialogue would pave the way in which for a decision.
Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh and Water Resources Department Secretary Rajesh Sukumar Toppo have been among the many senior officers who attended the assembly. (ANI)