Mahanadi Water Dispute: Tribunal Pushes for Conciliatory Talks

The decades‑long dispute over sharing Mahanadi river waters between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has taken a decisive turn.

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal has directed both states to engage in conciliatory talks under the mediation of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Advocate General Pitambar Acharya indicated that a resolution formula could be finalised within two months, marking a potential breakthrough in one of the region’s most contentious water conflicts.

The Tribunal’s directive is widely seen as a constructive step toward cooperative water management, moving away from prolonged litigation and political friction.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 21, where progress on mediation will be reviewed.

Legal experts believe this intervention could pave the way for sustainable water‑sharing arrangements between the two states.