The hearing of the long-running Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has been deferred to September 6, offering a fresh opportunity for both states to pursue an amicable resolution.
The case, pending before the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal, has entered a new chapter amid growing efforts to settle the issue outside judicial corridors.
According to Advocate General (AG) Pitambar Acharya, the decade-old conflict has seen little progress within the tribunal, despite extended litigation. “No significant resolution has been achieved through the tribunal process,” he remarked, emphasising the need for alternative measures.
Encouragingly, top-level dialogues involving chief secretaries and political stakeholders from both states have intensified, pointing towards consensus on a mutual settlement. AG Acharya noted, “Both sides are inclined toward reconciliation, which the tribunal views positively.”
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has acknowledged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s proposal for resolving the inter-state water dispute. In his reply dated 1st August, Sai confirmed that he received the D.O. letter (No. 405/CM/2025) dated 25th July and stated that the proposal is under serious consideration.
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The Mahanadi river, a lifeline for millions in both states, has been at the centre of heated debates over water-sharing rights, conservation, and state autonomy. The renewed commitment to resolving the issue reflects a shift from confrontation to collaboration—a welcome sign for the communities dependent on its waters.
With the next tribunal hearing slated for September 6, observers hope this renewed momentum will pave the way for a sustainable and inclusive agreement.
