Bhubaneswar, Jul 11 (PTI) Chhattisgarh on Saturday agreed to Odisha’s proposal to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute through negotiations under the mediation of the Central Water Commission (CWC), a senior official said.
During a hearing before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT), the Chhattisgarh government said it was willing to explore an amicable settlement through the CWC-mediated process, Odisha’s Advocate General Pitambar Acharya told PTI.
He said the tribunal directed Chhattisgarh to place its stand in writing before the next hearing scheduled for July 23.
The proposal was first mooted by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi last year in a letter to his Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai, suggesting that the dispute be resolved through negotiations in the interest of the people of both the states instead of prolonged litigation before the tribunal.
Majhi had also written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, urging the Centre to facilitate negotiations as the tribunal process was time-consuming.
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in 2018 after Odisha alleged that Chhattisgarh had obstructed the free flow of water in the river by constructing weirs and barrages upstream, adversely affecting water availability in Odisha, particularly during the summer months.
In his letter, Majhi had proposed the formation of a joint committee under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, led by the Central Water Commission and comprising senior technical officials from both states, to facilitate sustained dialogue for a mutually beneficial settlement.
Acharya said Chhattisgarh’s willingness to accept the proposal marked a positive step towards resolving the dispute.
“I am optimistic that Chhattisgarh will submit its written undertaking before the next hearing on July 23,” he said.
Officials of Odisha and Chhattisgarh have already held around 50 technical and administrative meetings over the years in an effort to resolve the dispute through negotiations. PTI AAM AAM SOM
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