Mahanadi dispute will be resolved before Diwali: Odisha CM Majhi

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha and Chhattisgarh on Thursday agreed to intensify technical consultations to resolve the long-pending Mahanadi river water sharing dispute within the next three months.

Following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil in New Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said both the states are ready to work towards resolving the dispute before “I attended a crucial meeting on Mahanadi water sharing and management chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister Patil along with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. We have agreed to settle the issue within the next three months and most likely before Diwali,” Majhi told mediapersons after the meeting.goodwill between both states,” he said.

The meeting reviewed the progress made by the joint technical committee which has achieved consensus on several technical issues. It also took note of the expanded technical committee, headed by the chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC), whose first meeting was held on July 29 to carry forward consultations on the remaining technical issues.

Majhi 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. “We remain committed to securing an amicable, equitable and lasting resolution through constructive dialogue, mutual cooperationBoth chief ministers appreciated the facilitation provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the CWC and expressed their commitment to continue the technical consultations in a constructive spirit.

Thursday’s meeting was the third interaction between Majhi and Sai on the issue. The two leaders had first met on the sidelines of the All India Water Ministers’ Conference in Rajasthan in February 2025, followed by talks in Bhubaneswar in March last year.