Bhubaneswar, Sep 20: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute with Odisha is likely to be resolved “very soon”, and asserted that both states have accepted the authority of the Centre in the matter.
Chief minister cites political alignment for quick resolution
Sai, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, told reporters after landing at Biju Patnaik International Airport that the dispute would be settled because there are BJP governments in both states and an NDA administration at the Centre. He said both chief ministers have given consent to the Centre to accept whatever decision is taken by the Central Water Commission with regard to the Mahanadi issue.
“There is no more dispute over the Mahanadi water distribution matter. There is a BJP government both in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and an NDA government at the Centre. Therefore, the matter will be resolved very soon,” Sai said.
Sai subsequently met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the city. The Odisha chief minister posted on social media that he had a “fruitful interaction” with Sai on strengthening cooperation between the two states and advancing their commitment to development and welfare, and his office released photographs from the meeting. The Odisha CM's office did not, however, say explicitly whether the Mahanadi dispute was discussed during the meeting.
Opposition raises concerns in Odisha
The remarks by Sai, particularly his suggestion that there was no longer a dispute, prompted criticism from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha. BJD vice-president Pratap Jena described the statement as unacceptable and questioned whether Odisha’s interests were being safeguarded.
Jena accused the Chhattisgarh government of being the originator of the Mahanadi controversy and expressed apprehension that Odisha may have conceded ground on related issues. He also noted that while BJP leaders have advocated resolving the matter through mutual discussions since assuming office, the basis for any such dialogue has not been clearly explained, the BJD said.
Where the matter stands
Sai’s comments indicate both state governments have signalled readiness to accept a Central technical body's conclusions. The Central Water Commission is the agency mentioned by Sai as the body whose decision the states will abide by; he said both chief ministers have consented to accept its findings.
The Mahanadi dispute, which centres on water allocation from the river that flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha, has been a recurring inter-state issue. Sai's public assurance of a forthcoming resolution and the stated acceptance of a central adjudicating body's decision mark a notable development in how both governments propose to settle the matter.
- Who spoke: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai; Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi (met Sai; issued social media post).
- Key institutional reference: Central Water Commission — both states said they will accept its decision.
- Political reaction: BJD vice-president Pratap Jena criticised Sai's remarks and expressed concern about Odisha's stand.
Implications for river water management and politics
If both states formally accept the Central Water Commission’s findings, the matter could move from political negotiation to implementation of technical recommendations. That would involve allocation parameters, release schedules and possibly measures to address downstream needs, though Sai did not spell out details during his comments.
Political alignment between state governments and the Centre could speed administrative decisions, but as the BJD response indicates, the issue has significant political sensitivity in Odisha. Any technical award or directive by the Centre may still face scrutiny from stakeholders and opposition leaders who argue state interests must be protected.
At present, Sai’s statements set an expectation of a near-term resolution while leaving the technical and legal specifics to the Central Water Commission and the relevant authorities.
| Party/Person | Position on Mahanadi remarks |
|---|---|
| Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh CM) | Expecting quick resolution; both states to accept CWC decision |
| Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha CM) | Met Sai; called interaction "fruitful"; did not specify if dispute discussed |
| Pratap Jena (BJD vice-president) | Criticised Sai's claim; raised concerns over Odisha's interests |
Reporting for this dispatch is based on statements made during the Bhubaneswar visit and subsequent official communications.
