Mahanadi Water Dispute: Odisha, Chhattisgarh Aim to Resolve Issue by Diwali

Odisha and Chhattisgarh have agreed to resolve the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute through dialogue within the next three months. The Chief Ministers of both states, along with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, held a high-level meeting in New Delhi to discuss the issue. The dispute centers around Odisha's allegation that upstream barrages and diversion structures constructed by Chhattisgarh have reduced downstream flows into the Hirakud reservoir, threatening agricultural irrigation, drinking water supply, and industrial operations across several districts. If resolved by Diwali, it would represent a major breakthrough in one of eastern India's most significant inter-state river disputes.