Fresh hope for negotiated settlement of Mahanadi river water dispute

Acknowledgement letter from Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai with the view that Odisha CM's suggestion will be 'considered' was enough for the BJP here to claim that doors were opened for a negotiated settlement to the decades-old Mahanadi river water dispute between the two states.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had, in a letter dated 23 July, urged his Chhattisgarh counterpart to resolve the interstate river water sharing issue through dialogue, with the support of the central government.

Sai has since acknowledged the letter, stating that the proposal is under consideration.

Following this political outreach, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, which was scheduled to hear the matter today, has deferred the hearing to 6 September, citing the ongoing high-level discussions between the two states.

Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya informed the tribunal that efforts for an amicable resolution are underway, with meetings taking place at both bureaucratic and political levels.

"If approached with a positive mindset, a breakthrough is possible," he stated, submitting the July 23 letter and the minutes of a high-level meeting chaired by CM Majhi.