Centre seeks report from Chhattisgarh over Mahanadi row

The Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati told that the Centre has sought a report from the Chhattisgarh government over the issue on the construction of barrages and dam projects on the upper catchments of Mahanadi River, for which the Odisha government has been opposing so far.

The Minister also stated that, she was fully aware of the issue and necessary steps will be taken only after the report is received from the Chhattisgarh government.

The Ministry will discuss the matter with both the State governments to settle it in a friendly way, said Minister of State for Water Resources Sanjeev Balyan.

Earlier Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter to advise the Chhattisgarh government to stop the unilateral construction of dams across Mahanadi River on July 4 and not to neglect the interests of Odisha people as River Mahanadi is the lifeline of Odisha which contributes maximum irrigation in the state.

On replying over the issue, Chhattisgarh Water Resources minister Brijmohan Agrawal has said that a detailed report will be sent to the Odisha government on this issue as they had wrong perception on these ongoing projects.