THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
APRIL 11, 2026
In a significant move
aimed at facilitating a comprehensive resolution to one of eastern India’s most
sensitive inter-state water conflicts, the Central Government has extended the
tenure of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, granting it additional time to
adjudicate the long-standing dispute over water sharing between Odisha and
Chhattisgarh.
According to an
official notification issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the tribunal will
now continue its proceedings until January 13, 2027. The earlier tenure of the
tribunal was scheduled to conclude in April 2026.
The tribunal was
constituted to examine the differences between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the
sharing, utilisation, and management of water from the Mahanadi River, a
crucial lifeline for millions of people across the region. The extension is
expected to provide the panel with adequate time to thoroughly assess technical
data, stakeholder submissions, and legal arguments before arriving at a
balanced decision.
Odisha has consistently expressed concerns over the construction of barrages and increased upstream water usage by Chhattisgarh, maintaining that such developments could adversely impact downstream water availability. The state has emphasised that any significant alteration in river flow may affect irrigation, drinking water supply, agriculture, and ecological sustainability across several districts dependent on the Mahanadi basin.
The extension of the tribunal’s tenure signals the Centre’s continued commitment to ensuring a fair and sustainable resolution to the dispute, which holds considerable significance for water security, regional development, and inter-state cooperation. The outcome of the tribunal’s deliberations is expected to play a crucial role in shaping future water management strategies in the Mahanadi basin, impacting both livelihoods and environmental balance in the region.
