Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi River near Sambalpur, Odisha
PM Urged to Broker Peace in Mahanadi Water Dispute
Odisha–Chhattisgarh Must Talk, Says Justice Gowda
New Delhi: Former Supreme Court judge and former Chief Justice of the Odisha High Court, Justice V. Gopal Gowda, has urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the prolonged dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over sharing the waters of the Mahanadi river, stressing that the issue should be resolved through mediation rather than adjudication.
Justice Gowda, who presided over the Mahanadi Sansad convened by the Mahanadi Bachao Andolan at the Constitution Club of India today, said that relying solely on the tribunal route would delay justice for years, as seen in the case of the Cauvery and other river water disputes. “Adjudication can carry on for years and decades, while mediation could deliver a faster and mutually beneficial solution,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister’s direct involvement could help achieve an amicable outcome. He noted that both Odisha and Chhattisgarh are now governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as is the Centre, which makes the atmosphere more conducive for a mediation-led settlement. “When the chief ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh meet, they should jointly propose a mediator,” he suggested.
The Mahanadi Sansad, themed “Alternative Dispute Resolution”, was organised by the Mahanadi Bachao Andolan — a movement advocating for the river and riparian rights of people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the Mahanadi. The meeting was attended by eminent lawyers, lawmakers, former administrators, experts from various river basins, and civil society representatives from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the gathering, Rajya Sabha Member and Chairman of Parliament’s Petition Committee N. D. Gupta (of Aam Aadmi Party) said the Mahanadi issue should not be treated as a mere inter-state water dispute. “It has far-reaching implications on ecology, agriculture, livelihoods, and federal relations, and must be addressed with urgency and sensitivity,” he said.
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan convenor Sudarshan Das said the Sansad resolved to pursue a multi-pronged strategy to ensure a swift and fair settlement, protecting the interests of millions of people in Odisha who regard Mahanadi as a lifeline. “Negotiations must involve all stakeholders and not remain confined to government corridors,” he emphasised.
The Andolan announced the launch of a Mahanadi Yatra — a public awareness journey that will trace the river’s course from its origin in Chhattisgarh to its confluence with the Bay of Bengal in Odisha. Das said the campaign would also intensify efforts against pollution, over-exploitation, and encroachment along the river. River rights activists from different parts of the country attended the Sansad and pledged solidarity with the movement.
The Mahanadi originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The dispute over sharing its waters began after Chhattisgarh constructed several dams and barrages in the river’s upper reaches between 2004 and 2016. Odisha, the lower riparian state, alleges that these constructions violated environmental laws and drastically reduced downstream water flow, affecting irrigation, drinking water supply, and ecosystem balance.
Following Odisha’s petition, the central government established the Mahanadi River Water Dispute Tribunal (MRWDT) in March 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, as directed by the Supreme Court. However, despite seven years of proceedings and two extensions to its tenure, the tribunal has not yet delivered an outcome. Its current term ends in April 2026.
Meanwhile, the two state governments have initiated officer-level talks aimed at finding a negotiated resolution. The chief ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh are expected to meet in November to further discuss the issue. Justice Gowda said the upcoming meeting presents a crucial opportunity to break the impasse and move towards a cooperative solution through mediation.
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan noted that after seven years of the tribunal’s functioning, the governments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh have begun exploring an amicable resolution through negotiation and mediation. The forum’s deliberations, it added, are intended to advance the cause of an equitable and sustainable settlement in the larger interest of all stakeholders of the Mahanadi River Basin and the nation as a whole.
– global bihari bureau
