New Delhi: Seeking interim relief in the long-drawn Mahanadi interstate water dispute, the Odisha government Tuesday filed an interlocutory application (IA) in the Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) seeking stay on construction of barrages and to ensure minimum flow of Mahanadi water during non-monsoon months.
The state government, through the IA, urged the tribunal to pass an interim order to Chhattisgarh to ensure a minimum flow of 1.74 million acre feet (MAF) in Mahanadi during the non-monsoon months – from November to May. The state also sought directions to Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra not to utilise more than 10.83 MAF of Mahanadi water.
The state government has requested the MWDT to restrain Chhattisgarh from construction and operation of barrages like Kalma, Saradihi, Mironi and others to ensure free flow of Mahanadi. It also sought stay on construction of ‘future’ projects by the Chhattisgarh.
Odisha has also pleaded with the MWDT to constitute Mahanadi Monitoring Committee to oversee implementation of the tribunal’s orders.
Notably, the tribunal will hold its maiden hearing on Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh October 13.
The Union government had constituted the MWDT March 12 following a Supreme Court order, January 23, in an injunction suit filed by Odisha.
The state government had sought to refer the water dispute to a tribunal for adjudication under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
The dispute arose between Odisha and Chhattisgarh due to construction of dams by the later. The Odisha government alleged that the planned utilisation of Mahanadi water in excess of its share by Chhattisgarh will affect the interest of Odisha as the river is termed as the ‘lifeline of Odisha’.
PNN