In a significant step towards resolving the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, a high-level meeting was convened today, July 23, 2025, at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The meeting focused on finding an amicable solution through mutual discussions, with the support of the Central Government, to address the contentious issue that has strained relations between the two states for years.
Chief Minister Majhi highlighted the slow progress of the Central Water Commission’s efforts to resolve the dispute and stressed the need for direct negotiations between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. “With the cooperation of the Central Government and technical support from the CWC, we can resolve this issue through dialogue, fostering better relations between the two states,” CM Majhi said. He emphasised that a collaborative approach would not only settle the dispute but also strengthen ties between both states.
The Mahanadi water dispute centres around the sharing of the river’s water, with Odisha raising concerns over Chhattisgarh’s upstream projects that allegedly reduce water flow to downstream areas, impacting agriculture and livelihoods in Odisha. Previous discussions between the two states, including meetings during the All-India Water Resources Ministers’ Conference in Rajasthan in February 2025 and World Water Day in Bhubaneswar in March 2025, saw both Chief Minister Majhi and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai express a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution.
The meeting also noted ongoing discussions between senior officials of both states to address technical and administrative aspects of the issue. The Odisha government remains optimistic that continued dialogue will lead to a fair and sustainable solution.
In attendance were Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sashwat Mishra, and senior officials and engineers from the Water Resources Department.
The resolution of the Mahanadi water dispute is seen as a critical step towards ensuring equitable water distribution and fostering regional cooperation, with both states hopeful for a breakthrough in the near future.
