New Delhi: Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil, on 30 July chaired a high-level meeting with the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, and the Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, to facilitate an amicable settlement of the ongoing Mahanadi Water Dispute.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Water Commission, and both state governments also attended the session. The dialogue represents a significant step forward in resolving the issue through technical cooperation, structured discussions, and cooperative federalism.
Deliberations over the sharing of Mahanadi waters have spanned several years. Following a request from Odisha, the Government of India constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on March 12, 2018, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, and subsequently extended its tenure to ensure all perspectives were thoroughly examined.
Recent efforts have gained renewed momentum as both states have expressed a shared commitment to pursuing an amicable resolution. These discussions build upon progress made by the Joint Technical Committee and an expanded Technical Committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission, which held its initial meeting on July 29, 2026, to address remaining technical consultations.
Emphasizing that the Mahanadi River is a vital lifeline for millions in both states, Union Minister Shri Paatil highlighted that dialogue, technical cooperation, and mutual trust remain the most effective tools for reaching a balanced agreement.
Pointing to recent successes such as the Yamuna Water Project Agreement, resolutions involving the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award, and consensus on the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project, he noted that even complex inter-state water issues can be resolved constructively.
Both Chief Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing technical talks, while the Union Minister concluded by emphasizing the long-term objective of establishing an equitable and sustainable framework for the future management of the Mahanadi Basin.