Major step forward in Mahanadi dispute as states finalise water figures

Bhubaneswar | Desk: A major and historic breakthrough has been achieved in the decades-long Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of both states has reached a consensus regarding the precise figures for the river's annual water availability and yield. These figures were presented during recent hearings held before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) in New Delhi and will serve as the foundation for resolving this dispute.

According to data from the Joint Technical Committee, the annual water availability for Odisha has been fixed at 33.17 Million Acre Feet (MAF), while the limit for Chhattisgarh has been set at 28.94 MAF.

As per the report, the total average annual water availability of the Mahanadi basin has been estimated at 62.36 MAF. This figure includes the contributions from the western catchment area and the Chilika water body.

Experts emphasize that this data is not merely theoretical; rather, it has been compiled based on long-term flow and rainfall records spanning the period from 1980-81 to 2018-19. The report also outlines various 'dependability levels' to ensure that a clear formula for water distribution remains in place, even in future scenarios involving droughts or low rainfall.

For instance, at a 90 percent dependability level (i.e., when the water volume in the river is low), the total availability will be deemed to be 37.25 MAF.

This technical agreement has received the official seal of approval from the Chief Ministers of both states, Mohan Charan Majhi of Odisha and Vishnu Deo Sai of Chhattisgarh. The Tribunal has lauded the maturity and seriousness demonstrated by the leadership of both states.

This consensus reached regarding the water distribution of the Mahanadi, often referred to as the 'lifeline' of both states, is expected to not only facilitate irrigation for farmers but also prove instrumental in resolving crises related to industrial and domestic water supply. It is now anticipated that, based on this data, the Tribunal may soon pronounce its final verdict. It is noteworthy that the Mahanadi water dispute is primarily a protracted legal and political conflict between Odisha and Chhattisgarh regarding the utilization, storage, and control of the river's water. The Mahanadi originates in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, thereby serving as a "lifeline" for the agriculture and economy of both states.

The roots of the dispute deepened when the Chhattisgarh government commenced the construction of several barrages and dams in the upper reaches of the river. Odisha contends that, as a result of these constructions, the water flow within its territory diminishes significantly during the non-monsoon months (winter and summer), adversely impacting the hydroelectric potential of the Hirakud Dam as well as the state's irrigation infrastructure.

Conversely, Chhattisgarh maintains that it is merely utilizing its rightful share of the water and that the majority of the river's water flows into the sea without being utilized. The situation became further complicated when Odisha petitioned the Central Government for the constitution of a tribunal. Following a lengthy legal process, the 'Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal' (MWDT) was constituted in 2018, pursuant to the directives of the Supreme Court.

In recent developments, both states have, for the first time, reached a consensus on data regarding water availability through a Joint Technical Committee. The focal point of the dispute now centers on how to apportion the water accumulated during the monsoon season, and what the respective shares of both states should be during periods of drought, in order to maintain a balance between ecological preservation and human requirements.