Odisha Gears Up for Crucial Mahanadi Talks with Chhattisgarh
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to present its position on the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute before the Chhattisgarh committee during a two-day visit scheduled for January 31–February 1, 2026.
Ahead of this crucial engagement, an all-party meeting will be convened on January 23, 2026, to finalise the state’s strategy.
The next hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal is slated for February 7, 2026.
With the tribunal’s tenure ending on March 13, 2026, Odisha has urged the Central Government to extend its functioning to ensure a comprehensive resolution.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo chaired a preparatory meeting that included senior leaders across party lines—Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, BJD legislator Niranjan Pujari, Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, and the ruling party’s Chief Whip.
The leaders emphasised the importance of presenting a united front to safeguard Odisha’s interests in the dispute.
The upcoming discussions are expected to play a decisive role in shaping Odisha’s stance and influencing the tribunal’s deliberations on the contentious issue of water sharing between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
