Odisha Forms High-Level Panel to Resolve Mahanadi Water Dispute

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set up a high-level committee to address the long-standing Mahanadi water-sharing dispute with Chhattisgarh. The panel was formed following the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo will chair the committee, which includes seven key members — Ministers Suresh Pujari, Prithiviraj Harichandan, and Sampad Chandra Swain; government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan; and MLAs Niranjan Pujari, Jayanarayan Mishra, and Sofia Firdous.

The Mahanadi water dispute has remained a major point of contention between Odisha and Chhattisgarh for years, with several rounds of dialogue failing to yield a conclusive outcome. The National Green Tribunal has also intervened, urging both states to resolve the issue amicably.

The formation of the committee marks a renewed effort by the Odisha government to push for a negotiated and lasting solution.