BJD and Odisha Government at Odds Over Handling of Mahanadi Water Dispute

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has accused Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of compromising the State’s interests in the long-standing Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh. The Opposition party’s remarks came a day after Mr. Majhi returned from a three-day visit to New Delhi, where he discussed the matter with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

Briefing the media in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, Mr. Majhi reiterated that the dispute would be resolved within three months. He said the discussions prioritised the interests and rights of Odisha’s people, the welfare of farmers, and environmental protection. A technical committee chaired by the Central Water Commission chairperson will submit its report to the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal within the next three months, he added.

However, the BJD has demanded that the State government make public the details of these discussions. Addressing a press conference, BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said the Chief Minister should rise above party interests and work solely for Odisha’s benefit. “He should not compromise or sell out Odisha to please Chhattisgarh,” Mr. Mishra said, alleging that Odisha is being neglected due to the “arbitrary actions” of the Chhattisgarh government.

The BJD also accused the BJP of misleading the public by not disclosing what was discussed in Delhi. “Despite a triple-engine government, people of Odisha are being neglected due to a lack of coordination,” Mr. Mishra charged, referring to BJP governments at the Centre, in Odisha, and in Chhattisgarh.

BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahu raised specific technical grievances. He claimed that Chhattisgarh has not agreed to install a new gauge near the Saradihi barrage, and the existing gauge is not functioning properly, leading to water management issues. He also alleged that rule-curve norms for the safety of the Hirakud reservoir are not being followed because of Chhattisgarh’s actions, and that backflow water from Chhattisgarh is worsening flood conditions in Odisha.

The Mahanadi is considered the lifeline of Odisha, with 16 districts depending on it. The BJD maintained that the BJP, which came to power invoking Odia identity, has failed to protect this symbol of that identity. “Despite BJP governments at the Centre, in Odisha, and in Chhattisgarh, the dispute remains unresolved. The State government has surrendered itself to Chhattisgarh,” Mr. Sahu said.

Specific allegations include Chhattisgarh retaining water during summer by closing the gates of the Kalma barrage, causing water scarcity in Odisha and affecting Rabi cultivation. Conversely, during floods, opening all gates increases water levels in the Hirakud reservoir, leading to flooding in Odisha.

The Mahanadi water dispute dates back several decades, with Odisha and Chhattisgarh having conflicting claims over the river’s waters. The central government constituted the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal in 2018 to adjudicate the matter. The BJD has consistently called for transparency and swift resolution, while the State government maintains that it is working through established legal and technical channels.

Chief Minister Majhi, meanwhile, has expressed confidence that the tribunal’s process, aided by the technical committee’s report, will bring a fair outcome. He has assured the people of Odisha that their interests remain paramount. The dispute continues to be a politically sensitive issue in both States, with parties on either side seeking to claim credit for safeguarding regional interests.