Experts question timing of Chhattisgarh’s release of water into Mahanadi

A large controversy erupted in Odisha over Chhattisgarh’s launch of Mahanadi water into decrease catchment of the river system. Water specialists and political leaders accused the neighbouring State of making an attempt to mislead the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal led by Supreme Court docket Justice A.M. Khanwilkar.

In line with Water Useful resource Division of Odisha, Chhattisgarh has opened 20 gates at Kalma Barrage via which 1,000-1,500 cusecs of water is flowing into Mahanadi in Jharsuguda district – a rarity as Chhattisgarh hardly releases water throughout non-monsoon season.

Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty, Engineer-in-chief (water useful resource), mentioned gates had been opened holding the scheduled go to of Justice Khanwilkar this week. He would take inventory of water availability in command areas of Mahanadi in Odisha.

Odisha has lengthy been objecting Chhattisgarh’s administration of Mahanadi River water in higher catchment. Throughout previous couple many years, Chhattisgarh has constructed a number of barrages proscribing circulation of water in decrease catchment (Odisha). The non-availability of water in Mahanadi throughout non-monsoon season has affected Rabi crops and worsened consuming water.

Following a criticism filed by Odisha with the Ministry of Jal Shakti beneath Part 3 of the lnter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, the Mahandi Water Disputes Tribunal was fashioned in March 2018. The tribunal has been requested to submit its report by December 2025.

State Planning Convergence Minister Rajendra Dholakia alleged Chhattisgarh confronted flood in higher catchment throughout monsoon, it opened gates with none intimation to Odisha and its reluctance to launch water throughout non-monsoon seasons had triggered disaster for riparian communities. He mentioned the tribunal would be aware of Chhattisgarh’s try and deceive it.

Water specialists in Odisha, nonetheless, mentioned it could be straightforward on a part of Chhattisgarh to misrepresent precise place in Mahanadi system as there have been sufficient documentary evidences as to how the water was fully managed by Chhattisgarh in higher catchment. Activists mentioned non-availability of water in Mahanadi system was affecting the livelihood of individuals.

There isn’t any inter-State settlement between Odisha and Chhattisgarh relating to Mahanadi basin water allocation. Mahanadi, the sixth largest river in India, travels 357 km in Chhattisgarh and 494 km in Odisha earlier than flowing into the Bay of Bengal.