The Odisha government has scheduled the first meeting of its newly constituted high-level committee on the long-standing Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh for December 22 at 4 PM in Lok Seva Bhawan.
The committee, formed on the directives of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, will be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
The eight-member panel includes representatives from major political parties: Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan (all from BJP), BJD MLA Niranjan Pujari, BJP MLA from Sambalpur Jaynarayan Mishra, and Congress MLA Sofia Firdous. The committee’s mandate is to thoroughly examine all aspects of the Mahanadi water issue and provide policy guidance to the state’s ongoing technical and administrative efforts.
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Despite the case pending before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal since 2018, bilateral discussions between Odisha and Chhattisgarh continue at various levels, with both states expressing willingness for an amicable resolution earlier this year.
Opposition BJD leader Prasanna Acharya sharply criticised the BJP-led government, alleging a “conspiracy” to “kill” the Mahanadi river, equating it to an assault on Odisha itself. He accused Chhattisgarh of constructing barrages without Odisha’s consent and questioned the lack of action despite the BJP governments in both states and at the Centre. Acharya raised concerns over potential out-of-court settlement terms, whether the tribunal case would be withdrawn, and the timeline for resolution.
In response, committee member and senior BJP MLA Jaynarayan Mishra defended the government, highlighting that the all-party committee is a proactive step. He pointed out that during the previous BJD regime’s 24-year rule, similar committees were formed but never met even once. Mishra emphasised that detailed discussions on the state’s future strategy will take place in the upcoming meeting.
The Mahanadi, originating in Chhattisgarh and flowing extensively through Odisha before reaching the Bay of Bengal, remains vital for irrigation, agriculture, and livelihoods in multiple districts. With technical committees from both states actively engaged and a tribunal hearing approaching, the committee’s deliberations are expected to shape Odisha’s approach toward a balanced resolution.
