Bhubaneswar: The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal has deferred its hearing to August 2 as Odisha and Chhattisgarh initiated informal talks at the highest political level to break the deadlock over sharing of the river’s waters. Odisha Advocate General (AG) Pitambar Acharya informed the tribunal that both states have begun exploring an amicable resolution to the dispute through dialogue between their respective bureaucracies and leaderships. He said the Odisha government believes a breakthrough is possible if the matter is approached with a “positive mindset” by the chief ministers of both states. “The dispute began in 2018, yet no sustainable progress has been achieved in over seven years. Following the recent change of governments in both states, there is now fresh political will. While previous efforts lacked any official or political-level engagement, an informal meeting of the tribunal was held in January this year. We are hopeful that a structured dialogue between the chief ministers could pave the way for a mutually beneficial outcome,” Acharya, according to reports, has told the tribunal in a recent submission. The tribunal, which had been largely inactive in recent years, saw renewed attention following the appointment of a new chairperson in December 2024. Justice Bela M. Trivedi took over the role from former Supreme Court Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, bringing fresh momentum to the proceedings. Both states are expected to present an update on the status of their negotiations at the next hearing. Based on their submissions, the tribunal will decide on its future course of action. The Mahanadi dispute, centering on alleged unilateral water diversion by Chhattisgarh through barrages and irrigation projects upstream, has been a persistent source of tension with downstream Odisha, which claims it is being deprived of its fair share, especially during the non-monsoon season. ————-
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