Mahanadi Tribunal Hearing Pushed to March 14

The long-standing Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has taken a fresh turn, with the tribunal rescheduling its crucial hearing to March 14, 2026.

Ahead of the hearing, the tribunal will conduct a spot visit between late February and early March to assess ground realities.

The tribunal’s tenure is set to expire on April 13, 2026, but both states have formally requested the Centre to extend it until March 27, 2027.

The delay in proceedings was largely attributed to the nine-month vacancy in the chairperson’s post, which stalled hearings and disrupted the schedule.

Attorney General Pitambar Acharya confirmed that the vacancy was the primary reason for the prolonged delay.

With the upcoming hearing, Odisha and Chhattisgarh are expected to press their arguments strongly, as the dispute continues to be a matter of regional and national importance.

The tribunal’s spot visit and subsequent hearing are seen as pivotal steps toward resolving the issue.