Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 1: In an aim to resolve the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting with Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai in New Delhi on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil and senior officers of both States and Union Government.
After the meeting, addressing the media, Chief Minister Majhi stated that the discussions were held in a very cordial atmosphere and were positive.
Majhi said that we are gradually moving closer to a resolution. He expressed hope that a final framework for this will be released very soon. He stated that a path to a resolution will be found keeping the interests of both states in mind.
The CM said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, as the development of the country and the states is being accelerated through the double-engine governments, the path for resolving disputes between states is also opening up. He expressed hope that this resolution will serve as a ‘model dispute resolution’ mechanism for other states too.
He said that Mahanadi is our lifeline. Mahanadi is the livelihood for crores of people of Odisha. He mentioned that he presented various issues in the meeting, such as irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, drinking water supply, and the environment. He emphasized on ensuring that Odisha receives an adequate quantity of water.
“After our double-engine government came to power, the process of resolving the Mahanadi issue in both Chhattisgarh and Odisha has been accelerated. Alongside the legal process, administrative and political resolution pathways have also been expanded,” he added.
Providing information regarding the efforts made for this, Majhi said that discussions were held between the two Chief Ministers in July–August 2025. In the meantime, several meetings have taken place at the level of the Chief
Secretaries and Water Resources Secretaries of both states. A meeting was also held in July this year under the chairmanship of the Minister of Jal Shakti in the presence of the two Chief Ministers.
In accordance with the decision of the July meeting this year, various issues, data, and information regarding the requirements of both states are being provided to the Central Water Commission.
He further said that it was provisionally decided in that meeting to find a path to a resolution within three months. Two months have passed in the meantime, and the Chief Minister said that there has been satisfactory progress.
He expressed his gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji for personally taking charge of finding a solution to the Mahanadi issue and making efforts to pave the way for its resolution.
