Bhubaneswar, July 31 (UDN): In a major development that could bring an end to one of eastern India’s longest-running inter-state water conflicts, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced that the Mahanadi water dispute is expected to be resolved before Diwali.
The announcement came after a high-level meeting between Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The meeting focused on finding a mutually acceptable solution for the equitable sharing and sustainable management of the Mahanadi river waters.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Majhi said both state governments have agreed to work towards a comprehensive settlement within the next three months. He described the discussions as constructive and expressed confidence that the long-pending issue could be resolved through cooperation and dialogue.
Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C R Paatil chaired a high-level meeting today in New Delhi with the Hon’ble Chief Ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh to discuss outstanding issues concerning the sharing and management of Mahanadi waters.
Both States reaffirmed their… pic.twitter.com/ifr4JE1JP2
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 30, 2026
The Chief Minister said protecting Odisha’s legitimate share of the Mahanadi waters remained the state’s foremost priority. He added that the interests of farmers, who depend heavily on the river for irrigation, were central to the discussions, and any agreement would aim to safeguard their livelihoods while ensuring sustainable water management.
The meeting was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, whose participation is expected to facilitate consensus between the two states. According to officials, all sides expressed a willingness to move beyond prolonged legal and political disputes in favour of a collaborative solution.
The Mahanadi river has been at the centre of a prolonged dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the construction of upstream barrages and the sharing of river water. The issue has been pending before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal for several years.
If the proposed timeline is achieved, the settlement would represent a significant milestone in resolving the inter-state dispute and provide greater certainty over water allocation, irrigation planning, and river management for both states ahead of the festive season.