Bhubaneswar, Feb 23:The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal team is scheduled for a crucial five-day visit to Odisha, starting from February 26 to March 2. The delegation, led by Chairperson Justice Bela M. Trivedi, will include tribunal members and their families.
The visit, which will cover key districts like Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Khordha, and Puri, is considered a significant development in the long-standing water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The trip is expected to provide the tribunal with a deeper understanding of the situation on the ground.
As per official communications, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed district administrations to make necessary arrangements for the tribunal’s visit. The tour will include inspections in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Khordha, before concluding with a visit to Puri, where the team will seek blessings at the Jagannath Temple. District Collectors have been instructed to ensure smooth preparations and provide adequate security during the visit.
The Mahanadi water-sharing dispute has been a long-standing issue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Odisha has consistently raised concerns about the impact of upstream projects in Chhattisgarh on the flow of water into the state. The tribunal, which was set up in March 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, was tasked with resolving this matter after bilateral talks between the two states failed.
However, progress has been slow, partly due to a vacancy in the chairperson’s position, which delayed hearings. The next hearing, initially planned for February 7, has now been rescheduled to March 14, following the tribunal’s field inspections in Odisha.
The tribunal’s current tenure is set to expire on April 13. Both states have requested an extension, with Odisha formally asking the Centre to extend the tribunal’s functioning until March 27, 2027.
The Mahanadi dispute has remained contentious for nearly a decade. Efforts for reconciliation through meetings convened by the Union Water Resources Ministry in 2016 were unsuccessful, with Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik walking out of the talks. Despite subsequent suggestions for a negotiated settlement, Odisha insisted on a tribunal-led resolution.
As the tribunal prepares for its visit, there is renewed hope that this field inspection, coupled with upcoming hearings, will lead to a fair and equitable settlement of the water-sharing dispute. The visit will offer valuable insights into the on-ground water usage, irrigation needs, and the socio-economic impact of the ongoing dispute.
