Odisha Postpones All-Party Meet on Mahanadi Dispute, Reaffirms Commitment to State’s Interests

The Odisha government on Friday put on hold the proposed all-party meeting on the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute with neighbouring Chhattisgarh, even as it reiterated its resolve to protect the river, calling it a “heritage” for the people of the state.

The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, who chaired an inter-departmental meeting here to review the status of the Mahanadi water dispute and related legal and administrative issues.

While Singh Deo did not disclose the reasons for postponing the all-party meeting, he stressed that the state government remained firmly committed to safeguarding Odisha’s interests in the matter. “The Mahanadi is not just a river but a heritage for the people of Odisha. The government is fully committed to protecting it and ensuring the state’s rightful share of its waters,” he said.

The inter-departmental meeting was attended by senior officials from the water resources, law, and other key departments. Discussions focused on the current status of the dispute, ongoing proceedings before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, and the state’s future course of action.

The Mahanadi water dispute has been a major point of contention between Odisha and Chhattisgarh for several years, with Odisha opposing upstream projects in Chhattisgarh that it claims reduce water flow into the state, affecting irrigation and drinking water supply.

The postponement of the all-party meeting comes amid continued political and legal efforts by the Odisha government to build consensus and strengthen its case in the dispute, even as it maintains that protecting the river remains a top priority.