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Mahanadi River Water Dispute amid Odisha and Chhattisgarh history, details
River Water Dispute: Mahanadi River Water Dispute Between Odisha and Chhattisgarh Details, History, Actions
The Mahanadi is a vast river in East Central India. It spreads in an area of around 141,600 square kilometres and has a total course of 858 kilometres.
The Mahanadi River flows through the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Since the mid of the 1980s, Odisha and Chhattisgarh are packed in a point of dispute over sharing of Mahanadi River water.
Odisha Government Concerns
The Odisha Government had appealed many times to Central Government to intervene and resolve its concern over Chhattisgarh Government which is constantly indulged in constructing dams and weirs in the upper reaches of Mahanadi River.
In 2016, Odisha Government had reached to Supreme Court, in order to give direction to Chhattisgarh Government to stop all types of their construction of barrages and dams on the upper stream of the Mahanadi River.
The Odisha Government allegedly stated that the Chhattisgarh Government without consulting Odisha Government is carrying their construction work which is affecting the flow of the river downstream and affecting drinking water supply.
The Odisha Government also stated that construction activity of dams and weirs in the upper reaches of Mahanadi River is adversely impacting Odisha farmers’ irrigation facilities.
The Odisha Government also alleged that Chhattisgarh state is utilising the Mahanadi River water far in excess of the equitable share.
Action Taken Over Dispute
The Supreme Court in a response has ordered Union Government to form a Tribunal for the settlement of Mahanadi River dispute, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956.
In February 2018, the Union Cabinet had approved proposal to constitute a Tribunal to settle the Mahanadi River water dispute.
The Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on 12th March 2018, has constituted a three-member Tribunal to settle Mahanadi Water Dispute.
