After a prolonged legal battle over sharing Mahanadi river water in a designated tribunal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have now expressed willingness to resolve the dispute amicably between themselves.
Upon being informed by the two States that they would give a chance for amicable settlement, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M. Trivedi on Saturday (August 2, 2025) fixed the next date hearing on September 6.
“We deem it appropriate to give more time to resolve the dispute amicably as may be possible and apprise the tribunal about the progress of the same on the next date,” orders MWDT.
Directions to secretaries
It directed secretaries concerned of the two States to remain present before the tribunal on the next date to apprise the body about the progress of the settlement talks between the two States.
Pitambar Acharya, Odisha’s advocate general, had placed proceedings of a high-level meeting and letter of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to his Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai and the latter’s reply before the tribunal stating that the matter of settlement of Mahanadi river water dispute between the two States was under consideration. The senior advocate for Chhattisgarh also acknowledged the development.
In the letter addressed to Mr. Sai on July 25, Mr. Majhi had proposed that under the guidance of Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, a joint committee of both the States led by the Central Water Commission (CWC) may be established.
“This committee would comprise of senior technical officials from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh and aim to facilitate sustained dialogue and technical negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial settlement,” he mooted.
