Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal hearing deferred to August 2

The hearing of the Mahanadi water dispute at the tribunal has been postponed to August 2. Informal discussions have reportedly taken place between the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Odisha in a bid to resolve the long-standing river water conflict between the two states.

Odisha’s Advocate General, Pitambar Acharya, informed the tribunal that steps are being taken by the Odisha government to resolve the issue amicably through mutual discussions and understanding at the bureaucratic and political levels.

Both states are expected to update the tribunal in August regarding the progress made towards resolving the dispute. Based on that, the tribunal will schedule its next hearing to review progress and consider further direction.

Must Read: Justice Bela M. Trivedi appointed new chairperson of Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal

"Mahanadi water dispute started in 2018. No sustainable development had taken place in this matter even after seven years. Following the change of the government, there was an unofficial sitting of the tribunal in January. Neither state has tried even once to solve the issue by initiating Chief Ministerial or official-level discussions. Governments of both states have now changed. As it is a water dispute between both the states and a political subject, I had requested the tribunal on behalf of the Odisha government that a positive outcome may come if the Chief Ministers of both the states discuss the matter in a positive mindset," said Advocate General Pitambar Acharya.

Notably, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal had appointed a new chairperson in December 2024, tasked with resolving the long-standing river water conflict between Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Justice Bela M. Trivedi assumed the role following the departure of her predecessor, Supreme Court Justice A.M. Khanwilkar.