BJD Targets Odisha Govt Over Mahanadi Dispute, Seeks Details of Delhi Talks

Bhubaneswar: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday accused the BJP-led Odisha government of failing to protect the state’s interests in the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh, alleging that the delay in finding a solution reflected the government’s inefficiency.

The party alleged that despite a “triple-engine government” at the Centre, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the dispute remained unresolved due to a lack of coordination, while the people of the state continued to suffer.

Addressing a press conference here, BJD senior vice-president and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra alleged that the state government was withholding details of the discussions held during the recent tripartite meeting involving the Centre, Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments in New Delhi.

Mishra said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who attended the meeting, had later informed the media that the Mahanadi water dispute would be resolved before Diwali. However, he questioned the basis of the assurance and demanded that the government make the details of the discussions public.

The Chief Minister has a moral responsibility to inform the people of Odisha about what transpired during the meeting and on what grounds such an assurance was given, Mishra said.

Alleging that Chhattisgarh was not cooperating with Odisha on Mahanadi water management, Mishra said the neighbouring state had failed to address Odisha’s demand for setting up a new gauge station near the Sardihi barrage. He claimed that the existing gauge system was not functioning properly, affecting effective water management.

He further alleged that Chhattisgarh had violated the recommendations of the N Khosla report and taken unilateral steps that led to the dispute. Such actions, he claimed, had affected implementation of the rule curve policy meant for the safety of the Hirakud reservoir.

Mishra alleged that the backwater flow from Chhattisgarh was posing a threat to the Hirakud reservoir and contributing to flood situations in Odisha. He urged the state government not to remain silent and fight for the larger interests of the state.

BJD MLA and former minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said the Mahanadi was the lifeline of Odisha, with 16 districts dependent on the river for their water needs.

He alleged that the BJP, which came to power with the promise of protecting “Odia Asmita” (Odisha’s identity), had failed to safeguard the interests of the state in the Mahanadi issue.

Sahu said that despite BJP governments being in power at the Centre, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the dispute continued unresolved.

He claimed that Chhattisgarh had access to around 24 lakh million acre-feet of water, while Odisha’s earlier demand was for permission to utilise 10 lakh million acre-feet. However, the dispute escalated after Chhattisgarh sought a higher share of Mahanadi water, he alleged.

The BJD MLA said Odisha required around 1.74 million acre-feet of water during the non-monsoon season for Hirakud reservoir management and agricultural activities, but alleged that the required quantity was not being released by Chhattisgarh.

He further alleged that all gates of the Kalma barrage in Chhattisgarh were closed during summer, resulting in reduced water flow to Odisha and affecting Rabi cultivation. During floods, however, he alleged that the gates were opened, causing a sudden rise in the Hirakud reservoir level and worsening flood situations in the state.

Sahoo demanded immediate disclosure of the discussions held during the Delhi meeting and said the BJD would continue its fight to protect Odisha’s interests.

Another BJD leader, Bhrugu Buxipatra, termed it “shameful” that the dispute remained unresolved despite the existence of a “triple-engine government”. He blamed the BJP government for the flood situation in parts of Odisha, alleging that the unresolved Mahanadi issue had contributed to the crisis.

He appealed to the Chief Minister to rise above political considerations and work in the larger interest of Odisha, while urging the government not to compromise the state’s interests.