Engineers’ teams to meet every week, new framework of coordination on Mahanadi to be developed
New Delhi: In an effort to resolve longstanding dispute over Mahanadi between Chhattisgarh and Odisha through dialogue, an important meeting was held in New Delhi on August 30. The chief secretaries of both the states, along with the secretaries of their respective water resource departments, participated in the discussions. Both states acknowledged the complexity and history of the issue, but emphasized the need for a peaceful and cooperative resolution that would benefit their people.
The Mahanadi, one of India’s major rivers that flows from Chhattisgarh through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal, has long been a source of dispute between the two states.
During the meeting, it was agreed that starting in September 2025, technical committees made up of engineers and experts from both states would meet weekly. These committees will work together to identify key issues, explore potential solutions, and establish a framework for improved coordination between the two states.
Another meeting will be held in October 2025, at the chief secretary level, with the water resource secretaries also in attendance. If progress continues to be made, the chief ministers of both states may meet by December to decide on the next steps.
Both sides committed to approaching the discussions with sincerity and an open mind, ensuring that any resolution reached would be mutually beneficial.
Experts believe that if this initiative is successful, it could not only resolve the Mahanadi dispute but also serve as a model for resolving other longstanding inter-state conflicts in the country. The collaboration could demonstrate that through dialogue and cooperation, even the most complex issues can be addressed amicably.
