Bhubaneswar: The Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh appears to be heading towards a negotiated settlement, with both states informing the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal of their willingness to resolve the long-pending issue through mutual discussions.During a hearing before the tribunal on Saturday, both states conveyed their intent to find an amicable and permanent solution to the contentious inter-state river dispute. Following the proceedings, Odisha advocate general Pitambar Acharya said the two states have arrived at an understanding to settle the matter through dialogue.Sources said this is a breakthrough development between the two states in eight years of the dispute. “The Chhattisgarh govt has clarified before the tribunal that it is ready for a resolution that is in the interest of both states. Both states have agreed to pursue an amicable settlement of the dispute,” Acharya said.According to him, the tribunal took note of the positive developments and directed the Chhattisgarh govt to place its consent on record through a written submission before the next hearing. Chhattisgarh is expected to file the written undertaking before the next hearing, scheduled for July 23.The development follows recent efforts by Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi to revive the dialogue process. Earlier this month, Majhi wrote to his Chhattisgarh counterpart, proposing the intervention of the Central Water Commission (CWC) to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute. The proposal received a favourable response from Chhattisgarh.
