In another step towards resolving the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute, the second meeting of Odisha’s Inter-Ministerial Committee convened today at Rajiv Bhawan under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo.
The gathering focused on exploring alternative solutions to mitigate the impacts of upstream barrages constructed by Chhattisgarh, while emphasising the need for interstate dialogue.
The meeting brought together key figures, including Ministers Suresh Pujari and Prithviraj Harichandan, as well as MLAs Saroj Kumar Pradhan, Niranjan Pujari, and Sofia Firdous. The Advocate General, along with officials and engineers from the Department of Water Resources (DoWR), provided expert inputs during the discussions.
After in-depth deliberations, the committee reached a consensus on several actionable points. Recognising the challenges posed by industrial barrages on the main Mahanadi River upstream of the Hirakud Dam, the group advocated for pursuing amicable resolutions parallel to the ongoing proceedings before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal.
Key decisions included initiating direct talks with the Government of Chhattisgarh to address these issues. However, the committee stressed the importance of first consulting various stakeholders within Odisha to build a unified approach. In a proactive move, the Inter-Ministerial Committee announced plans to visit Chhattisgarh to facilitate these discussions and foster better interstate cooperation.
This development comes amid growing concerns over water sharing and resource management between the two states, with Odisha highlighting potential adverse effects on its agriculture, ecology, and communities downstream. The committee’s emphasis on dialogue signals a potential shift towards collaborative problem-solving, even as legal avenues remain active.
