Mahanadi Tribunal Warns Odisha & Chhattisgarh: Final Chance Before April 11 Deadline

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal has expressed sharp dissatisfaction over the slow pace of negotiations between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, warning both states that time is running out.

During its latest hearing, the Tribunal noted that despite repeated directions, no substantive status reports were submitted by the Joint Technical Committees.

Odisha’s Advocate General presented a note, but the bench found it lacking in detail.

Both states assured the Tribunal that meaningful progress at the highest levels would be presented in the next hearing.

The Tribunal recently conducted site visits in both states, describing them as “fruitful and educative,” and directed assessors to prepare factual reports.

With its tenure set to expire on April 13, 2026, the Tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for April 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A joint application seeking extension of the Tribunal’s tenure was submitted to the Ministry of Jal Shakti in February, but the response is still awaited.

At the heart of the dispute, Odisha alleges that upstream projects in Chhattisgarh have reduced downstream water flow in the Mahanadi, affecting irrigation and livelihoods.

The Tribunal’s warning signals that the April 11 hearing will be decisive in determining whether the long‑standing conflict sees resolution before the deadline.