An enormous controversy erupted in Odisha over Chhattisgarh’s release of Mahanadi water into decrease catchment of the river system. Water specialists and political leaders accused the neighbouring State of trying to mislead the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal led by Supreme Court Justice A.M. Khanwilkar.
According to Water Resource Department of Odisha, Chhattisgarh has opened 20 gates at Kalma Barrage via which 1,000-1,500 cusecs of water is flowing into Mahanadi in Jharsuguda district – a rarity as Chhattisgarh hardly releases water throughout non-monsoon season.
Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty, Engineer-in-chief (water useful resource), stated gates had been opened retaining the scheduled go to of Justice Khanwilkar this week. He would take inventory of water availability in command areas of Mahanadi in Odisha.
Odisha has lengthy been objecting Chhattisgarh’s administration of Mahanadi River water in higher catchment. During previous couple many years, Chhattisgarh has constructed a number of barrages limiting move of water in decrease catchment (Odisha). The non-availability of water in Mahanadi throughout non-monsoon season has affected Rabi crops and worsened ingesting water.
Following a criticism filed by Odisha with the Ministry of Jal Shakti below Section 3 of the lnter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, the Mahandi Water Disputes Tribunal was fashioned in March 2018. The tribunal has been requested to submit its report by December 2025.
State Planning Convergence Minister Rajendra Dholakia alleged Chhattisgarh confronted flood in higher catchment throughout monsoon, it opened gates with none intimation to Odisha and its reluctance to release water throughout non-monsoon seasons had triggered disaster for riparian communities. He stated the tribunal would take be aware of Chhattisgarh’s try to deceive it.
Water specialists in Odisha, nonetheless, stated it will be straightforward on half of Chhattisgarh to misrepresent precise place in Mahanadi system as there have been sufficient documentary evidences as to how the water was fully managed by Chhattisgarh in higher catchment. Activists stated non-availability of water in Mahanadi system was affecting the livelihood of individuals.
There is not any inter-State settlement between Odisha and Chhattisgarh relating to Mahanadi basin water allocation. Mahanadi, the sixth largest river in India, travels 357 km in Chhattisgarh and 494 km in Odisha earlier than flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
