**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 1063 in Lok Sabha regarding the status of the Mahanadi Water Dispute and Tribunal Proceedings. The response confirms the establishment of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) in 2018 following a complaint from the Government of Odisha. The Tribunal's report submission deadline has been extended to April 13, 2026, or the date of submission under the Act, whichever is earlier.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Complaint Filing and Tribunal Formation:**
* The Government of Odisha filed a complaint on 19.11.2016 regarding the Mahanadi water dispute.
* The Central Government constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) on 12.03.2018.
* The dispute was referred to the Tribunal for adjudication.
* **Tribunal Proceedings:**
* The Tribunal has finalized certain issues for adjudication, including the construction of 6 industrial barrages in the Mahanadi basin by Chhattisgarh and the impact on downstream flows in Odisha.
* The Tribunal has held 49 hearings to date.
* Cross-examination of witnesses is underway.
* Odisha and Chhattisgarh are having discussions to consider mutual settlement of disputes.
* **Tribunal Report and Timeline:**
* The Tribunal has not yet submitted any report to the Central Government.
* The deadline for the Tribunal to submit its report has been extended by two years.
* The new deadline is on or before April 13, 2026, or till the submission of report and decision under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Act, whichever is earlier.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of Odisha**
* **Impact:** Odisha filed the initial complaint regarding water dispute and is impacted by upstream barrages affecting irrigation, drinking water, and livelihoods.
* **Action Required:** Continue participating in the Tribunal proceedings, engage in discussions with Chhattisgarh, and prepare for potential outcomes based on the Tribunal's report.
**Stakeholder: Government of Chhattisgarh**
* **Impact:** Chhattisgarh is party to the water dispute due to construction of barrages in the Mahanadi basin.
* **Action Required:** Continue participating in the Tribunal proceedings, engage in discussions with Odisha, and prepare for potential outcomes based on the Tribunal's report.
**Stakeholder: Central Government**
* **Impact:** The Central Government established the Tribunal, monitors the proceedings, and extended the deadline for report submission.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring the Tribunal's progress, facilitate discussions between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and prepare for the eventual submission of the Tribunal's report.
**Stakeholder: Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal**
* **Impact:** Responsible for adjudicating the water dispute and providing recommendations.
* **Action Required:** Continue with adjudication process, finalise report, and submit report by the extended deadline.
Key Entities Referenced
Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal: Tribunal constituted to adjudicate the water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: The Act under which the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted.
Odisha: One of the states involved in the Mahanadi water dispute.
Chhattisgarh: One of the states involved in the Mahanadi water dispute.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Union ministry responsible for addressing inter-state water disputes.
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 sub-
judice.
(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.
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