Lok Sabha Question No. 1063 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Status of Mahanadi Water Dispute and Tribunal Proceedings
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1063

ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## STATUS OF MAHANADI WATER DISPUTE AND TRIBUNAL PROCEEDINGS

## 1063.   SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that construction of upstream barrages by Chhattisgarh has reduced the flow of water in the Mahanadi River adversely affecting irrigation, drinking water and livelihoods in Odisha and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) was constituted in 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and if so, the details thereof along with the present status of its proceedings; (c)  whether  the  Tribunal  has  submitted  any  interim  or  final  report,  recommendations  or  conclusions regarding equitable sharing of Mahanadi waters between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the revised timeline fixed for its submission and the steps taken by the Union Government to facilitate an amicable resolution between the two States?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) & (b) The Government of Odisha had filed a complaint dated 19.11.2016 to the Central Government under  Section  3  of  the  Inter  State  River  Water  Disputes  (ISRWD)  Act,  1956  for  constitution  of  Water Disputes  Tribunal.  The  Central  Government  constituted  Mahanadi  Water  Disputes  Tribunal  vide  Gazette Notification dated 12.03.2018 under Section 4(1) of the Act and referred the matter of water dispute raised by Odisha to the Hon'ble Tribunal for adjudication.  The on-going Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal vide its  Order  dated  29.08.2020  has  finalised  certain  issues  for  the  adjudication  and  the  issue  concerning  the construction of 6 industrial barrages in Mahanadi basin by Chhattisgarh  State, and the impact of alleged constructions on the downstream flows in the State of Odisha has also been included therein.  Accordingly, the Tribunal has already been seized the matter.

So far as the proceedings of the Tribunal are concerned, a total of 49 hearings have been held till date, and the process of cross-examination of witnesses is currently underway before the Tribunal.  During recent hearings, both the States of Odisha and Chhattisgarh have submitted before the Tribunal that they are having discussions  at  different  levels  to  consider  mutual  settlement  of  the  disputes.   As  such,  the  matter  is subjudice.

(c) & (d) No, the Tribunal has not yet submitted any Report to the Central Government. The Matter is still under adjudication before the Tribunal. The Central Government, vide Gazette Notification dated 21.06.2023, extended the period of submission of report and decision by the Tribunal for a period of two years with effect from the 14th April, 2024, that is, on or before the 13th April, 2026, or till the submission of report and decision under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Act, whichever is earlier.