Raipur. Towards a permanent and amicable solution to the Mahanadi water sharing issue, an important meeting was held between Chhattisgarh and Odisha under the chairmanship of Union Water Power Minister CR Patil at Shramik Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu and senior administrative and technical officials from both states attended the meeting.

At the meeting, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai stated that the Mahanadi River is a shared lifeline for both states, and its water is linked to farmers, drinking water, industry, the environment, and the future of future generations. He stated that the Chhattisgarh government views this issue not as a dispute, but as a new beginning for a solution through cooperation and dialogue. Describing the interests of both states as complementary, he emphasized the need for a solution that does not compromise the interests of either party.

The Chief Minister suggested developing a shared water management system for low rainfall years and developing a permanent institutional mechanism for regularly reviewing water availability, use, and future needs. He called for resolving most issues at the administrative and technical levels through mutual coordination, and bringing only policy matters to the ministerial level.

CM Sai urged the Union Water Power Minister and the Central Water Commission to play an active role in ensuring impartial technical support, a time-bound action plan, and the development of a long-term consensus-based agreement between the two states. He commended the spirit of cooperative federalism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed confidence that, under the guidance of the central government, the two states would jointly find a lasting solution to the Mahanadi water dispute, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for farmers, citizens, industries, and the environment.