Bhubaneswar, July 30: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday expressed confidence that the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh would be resolved by Diwali following a tripartite meeting in New Delhi chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil.

The meeting, attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, focused on water sharing, basin management and protecting the interests of both states.

CM Majhi said discussions would continue over the next three months through meetings involving the Centre, the Central Water Commission and officials from both states to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

He said both Odisha and Chhattisgarh are committed to resolving the issue through dialogue, adding that the presence of BJP governments at the Centre and in both states has created a positive environment for an amicable settlement. The dispute is currently before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, though both states are pursuing negotiations alongside the legal process.