Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Chhattisgarh have informed the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal that discussions are underway at various levels to explore a mutually agreed settlement of the long-pending water-sharing dispute, the Centre told Parliament on Thursday.In a written reply to a question by Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, said the tribunal has conducted 49 hearings so far and the process of cross-examination of witnesses is currently underway. During recent hearings, both states submitted that they are engaged in talks at different levels to consider a mutual settlement of the dispute.
The minister said the tribunal has not yet submitted its report to the Centre and the matter remains under adjudication. On June 21, 2023, the Centre extended the time for submission of the tribunal’s report and decision by two years — from April 14, 2024 to April 13, 2026 — or until the report is submitted, whichever is earlier. The ongoing tribunal proceedings have finalised certain issues for adjudication, including the construction of six industrial barrages in the Mahanadi basin by Chhattisgarh and the impact of the alleged constructions on downstream flows in Odisha.
