Bhubaneswar, March 24: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai have agreed to collaborate on resolving the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute between their states. The two leaders met at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, where they discussed finding a peaceful solution to the issue.
ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀଙ୍କୁ ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ଦେଓ ସାଏ ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନ ଠାରେ ସୌଜନ୍ୟ ମୂଳକ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିଛନ୍ତି। pic.twitter.com/PJtDpl0mhm
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) March 22, 2025
The dispute arose after Chhattisgarh built barrages and check dams on the upper stretches of the Mahanadi River, reducing water flow downstream in Odisha, particularly during dry seasons. While Odisha raised concerns over the reduced water flow, Chhattisgarh defended the constructions as necessary for irrigation.
ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀଙ୍କୁ ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ଦେଓ ସାଏ ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନ ଠାରେ ସୌଜନ୍ୟ ମୂଳକ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିଛନ୍ତି। pic.twitter.com/PJtDpl0mhm
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) March 22, 2025
Currently under review by a tribunal, both states are committed to resolving the matter through cooperation. Majhi emphasized the shared cultural and linguistic ties between the two regions, which could aid in reaching an amicable solution.
On World Water Day, Majhi also announced several irrigation projects and laid the foundation for 18 mega lift irrigation initiatives worth Rs 1,227 crore. He highlighted plans to irrigate an additional 15 lakh hectares of land over the next five years with a budget allocation of Rs 14,841.72 crore. The Chief Minister further urged citizens to conserve water and introduced a new ‘Go-Water’ ERP App to aid in water management.