New Delhi: In a significant step towards resolving the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute, Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Paatil on July 30 chaired a high-level meeting with the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh in New Delhi, emphasising dialogue, cooperation, and technical consultations as the pathway to a lasting solution.
The meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, senior officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Water Commission (CWC), and representatives from both state governments.
Renewed Push for Amicable Settlement
The meeting marks an important milestone in the Government of India’s continued efforts to facilitate an amicable settlement of the inter-state river dispute through cooperative federalism. Over the years, multiple rounds of deliberations have taken place on the sharing of Mahanadi waters, reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of the issue.
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के दूरदर्शी नेतृत्व में सहकारी संघवाद की भावना को सशक्त करते हुए आज महानदी जल विवाद के संबंध में आयोजित बैठक में छत्तीसगढ़ के माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णु देव साय जी, ओडिशा के माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री मोहन चरण माझी जी, माननीय केंद्रीय… pic.twitter.com/2LQ5KJ2qUt
— C R Paatil (@CRPaatil) July 30, 2026
At the request of the Odisha government, the Centre had constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) on March 12, 2018, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The tenure of the Tribunal has since been extended to ensure all stakeholders are given adequate opportunity to present their perspectives.
Recent developments indicate a positive shift, with both states demonstrating a willingness to resolve differences through mutual cooperation and structured dialogue.
Technical Consultations Gain Momentum
The meeting reviewed the progress made by the Joint Technical Committee, which has held several meetings and achieved consensus on a number of key technical aspects. Officials noted that sustained technical engagement has helped narrow differences and build a foundation for further discussions.
In a crucial development, an expanded Technical Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Central Water Commission Chairman, with representatives from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The committee held its first meeting on July 29, 2026, to take forward pending technical consultations.
Additionally, it was decided that a committee under the CWC Chairman will submit its report to the Mahanadi Tribunal within three months, a move expected to accelerate the dispute resolution process.
Centre Emphasises Cooperation and Trust
Welcoming the Chief Ministers, Union Minister CR Paatil highlighted that the Mahanadi river serves as a lifeline for millions of people in both states. He stressed that dialogue, mutual trust, and technical cooperation are essential for achieving an equitable and sustainable resolution.
The Minister also acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in fostering consensus among states on complex water-sharing issues. He pointed to recent successes such as the Yamuna Water Project Agreement, progress in implementing the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award, and consensus on the Modified Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal (MPKC) Link Project as examples of effective cooperative federalism.
“These milestones demonstrate that even the most complex inter-state disputes can be resolved through sustained dialogue and consensus-based decision-making,” he noted.
Timely Resolution Possible Through Collective Efforts and Cooperation: CM Majhi
During the discussions, Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised that any resolution must safeguard the state’s rightful share of water while protecting the interests of its people, particularly farmers, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
ଆଜି ନୂଆଦିଲ୍ଲୀଠାରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଜଳ ଶକ୍ତି ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ସି. ଆର. ପାଟିଲଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତାରେ ଏବଂ ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ର ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ଦେବ ସାଏଙ୍କ ଉପସ୍ଥିତିରେ ମହାନଦୀ ଜଳବଣ୍ଟନ ଓ ପରିଚାଳନା ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବୈଠକରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି।
ଏହି ବୈଠକରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଅଧିକାର, ଚାଷୀକୂଳଙ୍କ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଏବଂ ରାଜ୍ୟର… pic.twitter.com/X0bAB4EkGd
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 30, 2026
He underlined the importance of prioritizing public welfare and ecological balance while determining water-sharing arrangements. Expressing optimism, he said that with collective efforts and cooperation, a timely and satisfactory resolution can be achieved.
Chhattisgarh Calls Talks a ‘New Beginning’
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai described the meeting as a “new beginning” in the journey towards resolving the dispute. He emphasized that the Mahanadi is a shared lifeline for both states and should serve as a bridge of cooperation, development, and brotherhood.
केंद्रीय जल शक्ति मंत्री श्री सीआर पाटिल की अध्यक्षता में आज नई दिल्ली में महानदी जल विवाद के स्थायी समाधान की दिशा में महत्वपूर्ण बैठक आयोजित हुई। बैठक में मुख्यमंत्री श्री विष्णुदेव साय एवं ओडिशा के मुख्यमंत्री श्री मोहन चरण माझी ने सहभागिता की।
इस अवसर पर मुख्यमंत्री श्री साय… pic.twitter.com/ctITEffLa8
— CMO Chhattisgarh (@ChhattisgarhCMO) July 30, 2026
Sai highlighted the need for a practical and sustainable solution that addresses the interests of both states while ensuring the welfare of farmers, tribal communities, and future generations. His remarks reflected a constructive approach aimed at long-term collaboration.
Way Forward: Towards a Sustainable Framework
Both Chief Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue technical consultations in a constructive spirit and appreciated the facilitation provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission.
Concluding the meeting , Union Minister Shri Paatil reiterated that the objective extends beyond resolving the immediate dispute. He stressed the need to establish a long-term, equitable, and sustainable framework for the management of the Mahanadi basin.
He expressed confidence that continued engagement between Odisha and Chhattisgarh would pave the way for a mutually acceptable and enduring settlement, benefiting millions dependent on the river.
