Tribunal gives last opportunity to Odisha, Chhattisgarh to settle Mahanadi dispute

Tribunal gives last opportunity to Odisha, Chhattisgarh to settle Mahanadi dispute

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) may soon deliver its judgment on the water-sharing formula between Odisha and Chhattisgarh with both States failing to place a concrete proposal for mutual settlement. The tribunal has given a last opportunity to the two States to come up with a formula by May 2, the next date of hearing.

An order passed by the MWDT, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M. Trivedi, noted that though both States had jointly submitted on April 11 that the annual water availability would be finalised by the next date of hearing on April 20, Advocates General of Odisha and Chhattisgarh again sought more time to submit a concrete proposal.

“They have also not been able to place on record the suggestions with regard to the recasting of issues already framed in both the reference proceedings to narrow down the disputes between the party States,” the tribunal observed.

Panel unhappy

The three-member MWDT – comprising Justice Trivedi, Justice Ravi Ranjan, and Justice Indermeet Kaur – expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the proceedings are being conducted. “We make it clear that if they are not able to finalise the same or place on record any consensus on any of the issues by the next date, the tribunal will proceed with the proceedings on merits,” the tribunal noted.

The 851-km-long Mahanadi river, which originates from the Amarkantak hills in the Bastar plateau of Chhattisgarh, flows for 494 km in Odisha before meeting with the Bay of Bengal.

Following its formation as a separate State, Chhattisgarh’s demand for water skyrocketed, which led it to create major, medium, and minor irrigation projects, including industrial barrages. When Odisha found out there was considerable reduction in Mahanadi water in its territory, it noticed Chhattisgarh’s extensive upstream construction and increased water usage.

According to the Odisha government, Chhattisgarh has built more than 500 anicuts and 30 barrages, many primarily for industrial use.

No headway

The then Naveen Patnaik-led government had moved the Supreme Court in 2018 for river-water sharing. With the case dragging on, the MWDT’s formation was subsequently announced.

With BJP governments in both States after 2024, they submitted before the tribunal about settling the dispute amicably but haven’t made much headway.