Mahanadi water-sharing dispute between Odisha & Chhattisgarh will be resolved soon: Union Minister for Jal Shakti

The long-standing disputes over Mahanadi River water-sharing between Chhattisgarh and Odisha will be resolved very soon, assured Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil. 

On his visit to Odisha to participate in ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ program on the auspicious occasion of ‘Pakhwada’, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti assured that the legal dispute would come to an end soon.

‘The tribunal is leaving no stones unturned to resolve the matter as soon as possible,” the Union Minister said.

He further emphasized the importance of planting trees and said, "I have a one-day program here, I will be here till evening...Mahatma Gandhi had a dream of 'Swachh Bharat'. The importance he gave to fight for the freedom of our country, the same importance he gave for a ‘Swachh Bharat’."

“Now, taking forward Mahatma Gandhi’s work, PM Modi started the work of 'Swachhata Pakhwada' in 2014. It has been 10 years now. We are celebrating this 'Pakhwada' from September 17 - the birthday of PM Modi, to October 2 - the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Under this, we have organised more than 10 lakh programs so far in rural areas,” he added.

Worth mentioning, the Mahanadi River is the lifeline for both the people of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, with thousands of people living in the Mahanadi basin. Despite several attempts to resolve the differences, there has never been an inter-state agreement between the two states.

The Odisha government has complained to the Central government regarding the construction of six industrial barrages on the Mahanadi and the lack of water inflow from the Mahanadi River during the non-monsoon period.

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Odisha has applied for sharing the Mahanadi water while Chhattisgarh claims that it is not obstructing the flow of Mahanadi water.