Mahanadi Water Dispute: Tribunal Team Conducts Field Assessment in Odisha

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Tribunal members inspecting Hirakud Dam in Odisha during Mahanadi water dispute field assessment.

Mahanadi Water Dispute: Tribunal Team Conducts Field Assessment in Odisha

A three-member bench of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, led by Justice Bela M. Trivedi, arrived in Odisha to inspect key river infrastructure including Hirakud Dam and assess water utilisation amid the ongoing Mahanadi inter-state dispute with Chhattisgarh.

Published by Diptimayee | February 27, 2026

In a significant development in the long-standing Mahanadi river water-sharing dispute, a three-member bench of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal arrived in Odisha to conduct a comprehensive field assessment of critical river infrastructure and water utilisation patterns.

The tribunal team is led by newly appointed Chairperson Justice Bela M. Trivedi. Their visit is being seen as a crucial step toward resolving the prolonged inter-state conflict over the sharing of Mahanadi river waters between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Key Sites Under Inspection

As part of the assessment, the tribunal members are inspecting the Hirakud Dam, one of the longest earthen dams in the world. The inspection includes the right spillway, the power house, and the command area linked to the dam. The team is also reviewing the ground situation at the Chipilima Power House.

Sources indicate that the inspection will focus on evaluating the volume of water reaching Hirakud during the non-monsoon season and examining its utilisation for irrigation, industrial operations, and drinking water supply. The tribunal is also expected to assess concerns related to river-linking projects, an issue raised during earlier hearings.

Broader Context of the Dispute

The Mahanadi water-sharing issue has remained a contentious matter between Odisha and Chhattisgarh for several years. Both states have presented differing claims regarding water availability, upstream construction activities, and downstream usage rights.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party currently in power at the Centre and in both states, political observers speculate that a negotiated settlement may be achievable. However, Odisha’s Advocate General Pitambar Acharya has asserted that the state’s interests will remain paramount.

“Whatever is being done is aimed at safeguarding the interests of the people of Odisha. The long-standing dispute will be resolved,” Acharya stated.

During their visit, the tribunal members are also scheduled to pay respects at the Maa Samaleswari Temple.

The findings from this field assessment are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the tribunal’s final verdict on the equitable sharing of Mahanadi river waters between the two states.