THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR, JULY 30, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday expressed confidence that the decades-old interstate dispute over the sharing and management of Mahanadi river water with neighbouring Chhattisgarh would be resolved before the upcoming Diwali, following a high-level meeting convened by the Centre in the national capital.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Majhi said he was optimistic that all pending issues related to Mahanadi water sharing would be settled through dialogue within the next three months, allowing both Odisha and Chhattisgarh to jointly celebrate Diwali after reaching a mutually acceptable and lasting solution.

The meeting, chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and attended by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti as well as the chief ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, marked the first face-to-face interaction between Mohan Charan Majhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on the sensitive river water issue. The deliberations continued for about an hour.

During the discussions, Majhi firmly reiterated Odisha's position, asserting that the state's rights over Mahanadi waters, protection of its water resources and the interests of lakhs of farmers dependent on the river remained the government's foremost priorities.

"Today in New Delhi, I attended a crucial meeting on Mahanadi water sharing and management, chaired by Hon'ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil Ji, along with Hon'ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Ji. Odisha's position was articulated firmly and unequivocally, placing the rights of our people, the interests of our farmers and the protection of the State's water resources above all else. We remain committed to securing an amicable, equitable and lasting resolution through constructive dialogue, mutual cooperation and goodwill between both States," the Odisha Chief Minister said in a post on X after the meeting.

According to the Odisha government, the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, with both states agreeing to intensify efforts to resolve the long-pending dispute through sustained dialogue, cooperation and consensus rather than confrontation. The Chhattisgarh government also conveyed its willingness to pursue a permanent settlement through continued discussions.

As part of the roadmap finalised during the meeting, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, the Central Water Commission (CWC) and senior officials of both state governments will undertake continuous technical-level deliberations over the next three months. The exercise will involve a comprehensive data-driven assessment aimed at ensuring scientific, equitable and sustainable distribution, management and conservation of Mahanadi river water.

Officials said the technical consultations would focus on hydrological data, water availability, utilisation patterns and future requirements of both states to facilitate an informed and mutually acceptable resolution.

The Mahanadi river water dispute has remained one of the most contentious interstate issues between Odisha and Chhattisgarh for several years, with Odisha raising concerns over the construction of barrages and other water structures upstream by Chhattisgarh and alleging that such projects adversely affect downstream water flow, particularly during the lean season. Thursday's meeting is being viewed as a significant political and administrative initiative by the Centre to facilitate a negotiated settlement between the two BJP-ruled states.

Majhi expressed hope that the renewed dialogue process, backed by technical consultations and the Centre's mediation, would pave the way for an equitable and enduring resolution well before Diwali.