Odisha and Chhattisgarh Near Mahanadi Water Framework

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said October 1 talks chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah brought Odisha and Chhattisgarh closer to resolving their long-running dispute over sharing Mahanadi River water, though no agreement or final allocation was announced. Majhi said the discussions were positive and a framework could emerge soon. The meeting in New Delhi included Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and officials from both states and the Central Water Commission (CWC). Majhi said the states had submitted proposals and requested documents, and that the commission was examining information about their water needs. He said the process was intended to find a solution that takes both states’ interests into account. Majhi said Odisha raised concerns involving irrigation, flood control, hydropower, drinking water and environmental protection, and argued that the state should receive an adequate quantity of water. The dispute concerns the use of water from the Mahanadi, which flows from Chhattisgarh into Odisha.