Bhubaneswar, July 30 — Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday attended a crucial meeting on the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute in New Delhi, chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, where Odisha and Chhattisgarh discussed ways to resolve the long-pending inter-state river water dispute.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chief Secretaries of both states, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, and other senior officials also participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, CM Majhi stressed that any resolution to the Mahanadi water dispute must accord the highest priority to protecting Odisha’s rights, safeguarding the interests of its people and farmers, and ensuring environmental conservation.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), in a cordial atmosphere, the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh expressed their commitment to finding a permanent and mutually acceptable solution to the Mahanadi water dispute through cooperation, coordination, and constructive dialogue between the two states.
The CMO further said that a committee headed by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) will submit its report to the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal within three months.
Expressing optimism over an early resolution, Chief Minister Majhi said he was hopeful that the Mahanadi water dispute would be resolved soon through the cooperation of all stakeholders while fully safeguarding the interests of the people of Odisha.
In a post on his X handle, CM Majhi earlier said Odisha’s position was articulated firmly and unequivocally, placing the rights of its people, the interests of farmers, and the protection of the state’s water resources above all else.
He reiterated the commitment to securing an amicable, equitable, and lasting resolution through constructive dialogue, cooperation, and goodwill between both states.
Since assuming office, the BJP-led state government in Odisha has consistently emphasised an amicable resolution of the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute through mutual discussions with the Chhattisgarh government.