Mahanadi water dispute: Odisha’s concerns – OPSC OAS Mains GS Paper II PYQ

📝Model Answer

Introduction

The Mahanadi, often called Odisha’s lifeline, originates in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district and flows for nearly 900 km before draining into the Bay of Bengal, sustaining agriculture, drinking water, and power generation across both riparian states. As a lower riparian state, Odisha has raised sustained concerns over reduced water flow due to unregulated upstream diversions in Chhattisgarh, making this one of India’s prominent contemporary inter-state river disputes.

Odisha’s Concerns Regarding Sharing of Mahanadi Water

1. Unilateral Construction of Barrages: Odisha alleges that Chhattisgarh has built at least eight barrages and numerous anicuts on the upper reaches of the river without consulting Odisha or seeking central clearance.
2. Reduced Downstream Flow: These upstream structures have significantly diminished water availability in Odisha, particularly during the non-monsoon (lean) season when demand is highest.
3. Threat to Hirakud Reservoir: Reduced inflow threatens the storage capacity of the Hirakud Dam, which supports irrigation, flood control, and hydropower generation for the state.
4. Impact on Agriculture and Drinking Water: Odisha contends that around 14 of its 30 districts depend on the Mahanadi basin, and reduced flow jeopardises irrigation and drinking water supply in these areas.
5. Threat to Fisheries and Ecology: Declining freshwater flow raises concerns of saline water ingress in the Mahanadi delta, endangering fisheries and estuarine ecology.
6. Asymmetrical Basin Control: Although Chhattisgarh holds a larger share of the catchment area (about 54%) against Odisha’s 46%, Odisha argues that as the lower riparian and more water-dependent state, its interests are disproportionately affected.
7. Absence of a Water-Sharing Agreement: Unlike some other inter-state rivers, no formal water-sharing agreement existed between the two states, leaving allocation contentious and undefined.

Status of the Chhattisgarh-Odisha Mahanadi Water Dispute

1. Origin of the Dispute (2016): Odisha approached the Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution, accusing Chhattisgarh of unilaterally constructing barrages that reduced downstream flow.
2. Constitution of the Tribunal (2018): The Union Cabinet approved setting up the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to adjudicate the matter.
3. Prolonged Proceedings: Despite being constituted in 2018, the tribunal has faced repeated delays due to inadequate data submission and frequent adjournments sought by both states.
4. Present Tribunal Leadership: The MWDT is currently headed by a former Supreme Court judge, with two other members and technical assessors assisting the proceedings.
5. Tentative Movement Toward Settlement (2025): In October 2025, both states reportedly agreed in principle on an "amicable solution," but failed to finalise a concrete water-sharing formula.
6. Tribunal’s Final Warning (2026): In April 2026, the tribunal expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of progress and gave both states a final opportunity to submit an agreed settlement formula, failing which it would decide the matter on merits.
7. Extended Timeline: The tribunal’s tenure has been further extended by nine months, till January 2027, to allow for a possible negotiated resolution.

Way Forward

1. Expedite submission of reliable water availability data by both states to the tribunal.
2. Pursue a negotiated, formula-based settlement rather than prolonged adjudication.
3. Institute joint monitoring mechanisms for basin-wide water flow and barrage operations.
4. Strengthen the Inter-State Council as a parallel platform for dialogue and confidence-building.
5. Adopt scientific, real-time hydrological assessment for equitable allocation.
6. Insulate the dispute from electoral politics to enable a durable, cooperative resolution.

Conclusion