Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced that the state government has planned to construct 16 dams and 15 barrages on the Mahanadi river to ensure sustainable water management and equitable distribution of resources for the state.

In a written reply to a question raised by BJD legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain in the Odisha Assembly, the chief minister stated that the state is facing a decline in water flow in the Mahanadi due to excessive and unplanned use of the river’s upstream resources by neighboring Chhattisgarh.

Majhi highlighted that this has particularly impacted the Hirakud dam, which is located near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, causing a gradual reduction in water availability in Odisha’s downstream areas.

To address this issue, Odisha has approached the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal and presented its claims through multiple legal pleadings. The matter remains sub-judice, he informed the assembly.

The proposed projects aim to enhance water conservation, irrigation facilities, and drinking water supply in the state. The initiative is expected to strengthen Odisha’s water security and mitigate the effects of reduced water flow from upstream regions.

The Odisha government’s decision comes amid ongoing disputes with Chhattisgarh over the sharing of Mahanadi river waters, which has been a contentious issue for several years.