Tribunal asks Odisha, Chhattisgarh to settle Mahanadi dispute

23 APRIL 2026

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M. Trivedi may soon deliver its judgment on the water-sharing formula between Odisha and Chhattisgarh with both States failing to place a concrete proposal for mutual settlement.
The tribunal has given a last opportunity to the two States to come up with a formula.
The three-member MWDT comprises of Justice Trivedi, Justice Ravi Ranjan, and Justice Indermeet Kaur.
The 851-km-long Mahanadi river, which originates from the Amarkantak hills in the Bastar plateau of Chhattisgarh, flows for 494 km in Odisha before meeting with the Bay of Bengal.

Dispute Timeline

In 2000, following its formation as a separate State, Chhattisgarh’s demand for water skyrocketed, which led it to create major, medium, and minor irrigation projects, including industrial barrages.
When Odisha found out there was considerable reduction in Mahanadi water in its territory, it noticed Chhattisgarh’s extensive upstream construction and increased water usage.
According to the Odisha government, Chhattisgarh has built more than 500 anicuts and 30 barrages, many primarily for industrial use.
In 2018, the then Naveen Patnaik-led government had moved the Supreme Court for river-water sharing.
With the case dragging on, the MWDT’s formation was subsequently announced.
After 2024, with BJP governments in both States, they submitted before the tribunal about settling the dispute amicably but haven’t made much headway.

Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam in Odisha, India, is the world’s longest major earthen dam, spanning 25.8 km across the Mahanadi River near Sambalpur.
Inaugurated in 1957 by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru, this multipurpose project provides irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power (approx. 287-359 MW).
The 55 km long reservoir creates a scenic, popular tourist spot with viewing towers like Gandhi Minar and Jawahar Minar.