Mahanadi water dispute: Amit Shah to chair meeting with Chhattisgarh, Odisha today
CM Vishnu Deo Sai says Chhattisgarh and Odisha will accept CWC decision to resolve the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute in a high-level Delhi meeting.
In a major move to resolve a decades-old conflict, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level meeting in New Delhi today to address the long-standing Mahanadi River water dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai confirmed his departure for Delhi to attend the crucial session. He noted that the meeting aims to finally settle the water sharing and management issues that have divided the neighboring states for many years.
States willing to accept CWC decision
A significant development in this negotiation is the newfound consensus between the two states. Chief Minister Sai stated that both Chhattisgarh and Odisha have formally communicated their willingness to abide by the decision made by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Key highlights of the current development:
- Both states have agreed to accept the CWC decision in the interest of regional stability.
- The presence of the same political party in both state governments has accelerated the resolution process.
- The meeting is expected to formally conclude the dispute under the chairmanship of the Union Home Minister.
"Now that there is a BJP government in both states, the Chief Ministers have written to the CWC that whatever decision the CWC takes in the interest of our states, we both will accept," CM Sai told reporters in Raipur.
A history of legal battles
The Mahanadi River dispute has been a point of contention for a long time. The complexity of the issue was highlighted as far back as 2016, when the Government of Odisha submitted a formal complaint to the Central Government under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. At that time, Odisha had requested the constitution of a Tribunal to adjudicate the water sharing and basin management between the two riparian states.
While legal avenues were pursued, recent diplomatic efforts have shifted toward mutual talks. Earlier this year, high-level meetings involving Chief Ministers and water resource secretaries from both states emphasized the need for an amicable solution that serves the people of both regions.
Chhattisgarh's global outreach
Beyond the water dispute, Chief Minister Sai also highlighted Chhattisgarh's growing international presence. He announced that the state will be participating in the Singapore Business Federation to showcase its development initiatives and attract global investment to the state.