Bhubaneswar, July 23 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today expressed confidence that the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh can be resolved amicably through direct negotiations between the two states.
Chairing a high-level meeting here, Majhi noted that the process underway at the Central Water Commission (CWC) is progressing slowly.
He stressed the need for bilateral discussions supported by the Central Government to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
“The Central Water Commission can extend the required technical assistance. With cooperation and goodwill, the issue can be resolved amicably, strengthening relations between Odisha and Chhattisgarh,” the Chief Minister said.
It is noteworthy that the Mahanadi water issue was previously discussed between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Odisha Chief Minister Majhi on two occasions this year — once on the sidelines of the All India State Water Resources Ministers’ Conference in Rajasthan in February, and again during World Water Day events in Bhubaneswar in March.
Both leaders had agreed on the importance of resolving the matter through dialogue.
The meeting also revealed that high-level discussions between senior officials of both states are currently ongoing to address the dispute.
Among those present at the meeting were Advocate General Pattambar Acharya, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department Anu Garg, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shashwat Mishra, and other senior officers and engineers from the Water Resources Department.
