Demand to Make Public the Data on Available Water in Odisha’s Mahanadi Presented Before the Tribunal: BJD

By Kalinga Voice Last updated May 22, 2026

Odisha Government should present accurate data before the Mahanadi Tribunal
Misleading information is against the interests of Odisha and river protection
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan challenges the State Government’s data

Bhubaneswar,22/05/2026: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly criticized that for many years Chhattisgarh has been unilaterally stopping the flow of water of the Mahanadi, the lifeline of Odisha, and using it for commercial purposes. Since repeated requests to the Central Government and the Chhattisgarh Government yielded no results, Odisha approached the Supreme Court, following which an Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted under the direction of the Supreme Court. After the BJP government came to power in the state, it had stated that the dispute would be resolved through mutual discussions, but no positive outcome has emerged so far, the BJD alleged.

In a press statement today, party spokesperson and media coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty said that the BJP government in Odisha has no clear approach toward resolving the Mahanadi water dispute. The government is confused. Initially, it was said that a solution would be found through mutual discussions, but there has been no progress in that direction, he stated.

Dr. Lenin Mohanty further said that the BJP government in the state is prioritizing party interests over the interests of the people of Odisha. Chhattisgarh is not prepared to listen to the Odisha Government, while the Central Government remains a silent spectator. The BJP government in Odisha lacks the courage to raise its voice against the Centre. Chhattisgarh is now constructing check dams and sand embankments in downstream areas and tributaries to stop more water. On one hand, the people of Odisha are struggling even for a drop of water, while on the other hand Chhattisgarh is selling water to industries. Instead of finding a solution to the problem, the BJP government in the state is merely indulging in drama, he alleged.

Dr. Mohanty further stated that recently, as per the directions of the Mahanadi Tribunal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have reportedly submitted data regarding the available water resources in the Mahanadi. The “Mahanadi Banchao Andolan” has raised questions over the data submitted before the Tribunal. In this regard, the Mahanadi Banchao Andolan had written a letter to the Chief Minister requesting time for a discussion with him. However, the Hon’ble Chief Minister neither responded to the request nor gave time to the Mahanadi Banchao Andolan. As no opportunity for discussion with the Chief Minister was provided by May 20, the office bearers of the Mahanadi Banchao Andolan today reached the Chief Minister’s residence and attempted to hold discussions with him, but failed. Thereafter, the Commissionerate Police allegedly forcibly removed the activists agitating for the Mahanadi in an undemocratic manner.

The Biju Janata Dal believes that the data related to Mahanadi water resources submitted by both states should be made public. Instead of transparently disclosing the Mahanadi-related data, those who wanted to meet the Chief Minister and discuss the issue were detained by the police. This indicates that the state government is trying to hide certain information. If the state government is indeed presenting accurate data regarding the Mahanadi water resources, then what is the problem in making it public? It is highly condemnable that the state government is adopting a delaying tactic on such an important issue as the Mahanadi.