Gadkari writes to Odisha CM for amicable solution to Mahanadi water dispute

Bhubaneswar: Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to settle the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh through mutual discussion.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Union Minister said that formation of the tribunal on such dispute only delays the solution.

Records show that solution to water disputes through tribunals take 20 to 30 years to be resolved. So, in the very interest of both the states, an amicable solution through dialogue is necessary, said Gadkari.

“With a view to make another sincere effort to resolve the dispute in the spirit of cooperative federalism, I purpose to discuss with you and CM Chhattisgarh at your earliest convenience,” said the Water Resources Minister.

He said the central government is committed to safeguarding the interest of Odisha and it will ensure that no injustice is done to Odisha.

“The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Madhya Pradesh and Odisha (Dt. 27-04-1983) provides a mechanism to resolve the issue through the formation of a Joint Control Board. However, no Control Board has been constituted. I appeal to you to initiate early action for formation of the Control Board,” he said.