Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention over Mahanadi water sharing dispute between his state and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Naveen accused the Chhattisgarh government of blocking free flow of water to Odisha by constructing six barrages on the Mahanadi upstream. He also reiterated Modi to constitute a tribunal under the provisions of the Inter State River Water Disputes Act of 1956 to resolve the matter.
The letter also said prime minister to direct upstream state of Chhattisgarh to stop the unilateral decision on construction of barrages on Mahanadi river and to open the gates of Kalma and other barrages to maintain the free flow of water into territory of Odisha.
The Odisha chief minister also cited his government’s letter on 19.11.2016 to the Centre seeking constitution of an Inter State Tribunal; but no steps have been taken by the Central Government even after passage of six months.
Urging the prime minister to intervene in the issue, Patnaik said the Chhattisgarh government’s move has resulted in reduction of flow into Hirakud reservoir causing scarcity of drinking water in Odisha that triggers unrest in Sambalpur, Bargarh and other border districts.
Meanwhile, briefing reporters, the Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh yesterday said since the Central Water Commission, CWC, decides about the flow of water, neither Chhattisgarh nor Odisha has the right to decide about the volume of water to be received by each state. The Odisha government should approach the CWC on the issue.
The Odisha government on Monday claimed that flow of Mahanadi water into Hirakud reservoir has reduced by 79 per cent in May this year compared to May 2013 and 66 per cent in April this year compared to April 2013.
