The Mahanadi River (sixth largest in the country), a vital lifeline for Odisha and Chhattisgarh, after originating from Chhattisgarh, flows 885 KM before meeting the sea in Odisha. This river sustains the culture, literature, economy, environment, and prosperity of both states while playing a critical role in balancing India’s climate. However, the Mahanadi basin faces a severe climate crisis, with diminishing water availability, particularly during non-monsoon seasons. Unsustainable activities, including those on the riverbed, are damaging the river’s ecosystem, exacerbating the crisis and undermining river ecology. For years, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have been engaged in a water-sharing dispute over the Mahanadi. Mahanadi River Water Dispute Tribunal (MRWDT) constituted in March 2018 has so far failed to adjudicate the matter even after 7 years. The Tribunal has recently initiated dialogue with both states, and the central government, under the guidance of the Jal Shakti Ministry are committed to bilateral talks to resolve the dispute amicably.
While state and central governments have made efforts to resolve this issue, a lasting solution requires collective action. The active participation of riparian communities, responsible citizens, and river experts is essential to support the process of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) based on the best practices across the globe on water disputes/conflicts. ADR is a non judicial method to resolve the dispute over common river water resource which is mutually acceptable, consensual, flexible, confidential, faster, and less adversarial and that requires involvement of stakeholders not just Govts alone.
To advance this process, we invite you to join a crucial discussion on the programme as mentioned below:
Event Details:
- Subject: Mahanadi Parliament on Alternative Dispute Resolution of Mahanadi Water
- Date: Monday, 13th October, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Venue: Deputy Speaker’s Hall, Constitution Club, New Delhi
- Presided by: Justice V Gopala Gowda, Former Judge of Supreme Court of India & Chief Justice of Odisha High Court
Participants: River experts and representatives of river movements like Indian Peninsular River Basin Council (IPRBC), Indian Himalayan River Basin Council (IHRBC), Krishna Kutumbh, Goda (Godavari) Kutumbh, Jal Jan Joda Abhiyan (Works on Ganga and Yamuna), Nadi Ghati Morcha, Raipur, Political Leaders and river-dependent communities from Odisha and Chhattisgarh The outcomes of this discussion will be shared with the Central as well as both the state Govts and the Tribunal to support the process of amicable resolution of the water dispute and strengthen the river’s ecosystem, economy, and environmental balance. Addressing water distribution and availability is both urgent and critical at this point of time for the riparian region of the river.
We warmly invite you to attend this discourse and contribute to resolving the long-standing Mahanadi dispute and protect the ecosystem of the river. Your participation will help strengthen the water environmental balance of this vital river.
Convenors
Sanjay Sigh
Jal Jan Joda Abhiyan
Mr Prakash Rao Chairman, IPRBC
Dr Indira Khurana Chairperson, IHRBC
Goutam Bandopadhyay
Nadi Ghati Morcha, Raipur
Sudarsan Das
Mahanadi Bachao Andolan
