Mahanadi Dispute: Tribunal directs Odisha to submit affidavit

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: The Mahanadi River Disputes Tribunal on Saturday directed the Odisha government to submit an affidavit basing on its petition filled seeking a stay order on the construction of barrages by neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

The Tribunal directed the Odisha government to submit an affidavit within two weeks while the next hearing has been scheduled to be held on February 9, 2019.

Odisha government today put forth its stand before the Tribunal on the illegal construction of projects and arbitrary control of water flow of Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government.

Odisha also mentioned about the problems faced by locals due to the construction of barrageS by Chhattisgarh in the upstream and catchment areas and its effect on the bio-diversity in the region.

While hearing the interim plea of Odisha, the Tribunal sought an affidavit from Odisha and directed Chhattisgarh to submit its reply soon after. Besides, the Tribunal has also sought details of the rainwater flow in Mahanadi in the last 20 years.

Meanwhile, hearing of the original petition filed by the Odisha government has been scheduled for January 11, 2019, sources said.