Bhubaneswar, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha would be resolved soon, as the two states continue efforts towards an amicable settlement.
Sai, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at his residence in Bhubaneswar and discussed several issues concerning cooperation between the neighbouring states.
Speaking to reporters after his arrival, Sai said there was no longer a dispute in the sense of confrontation between the two states and expressed confidence that the matter would be settled through dialogue.
“There is no dispute over Mahanadi water. As the BJP is in power in both the states, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, as well as at the Centre, this is going to be resolved very soon,” he said.
Sai said the Chief Ministers of both states, along with senior officials, had recently met in New Delhi and agreed to work with the Central Water Commission (CWC) towards resolving the issue through mutual dialogue. The Centre has been facilitating talks between the two states, with technical-level discussions also underway.
The Mahanadi water-sharing dispute has remained unresolved for years, with Odisha and Chhattisgarh differing over the utilisation and sharing of the river’s waters. Odisha has raised concerns over upstream projects and their impact on downstream flows, while Chhattisgarh has maintained its position on its share and utilisation of the river water. Recent talks have focused on data sharing and developing a framework for an equitable settlement.
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal recently deferred its hearing to September 28 as the two states continued settlement discussions under the supervision of the CWC.
Majhi, in a post on X, said he had a “fruitful interaction” with Sai on strengthening cooperation between Odisha and Chhattisgarh and advancing their shared commitment towards the development and welfare of the people.
According to Sai’s itinerary, he will visit the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar before travelling to Puri to offer prayers at the Jagannath Temple.
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