Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Former minister and Biju Janata Dal senior vice president Debi Prasad Mishra referred to Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari’s remarks regarding the Mahanadi water dispute as unfortunate and deceptive. Speaking during a press conference on Thursday at the BJD headquarters in Sankha Bhavan, Mishra stated that the people of 16 districts in Odisha depend on the Mahanadi River for their survival. The amount of water that can be used by Odisha downstream and Chhattisgarh upstream of the Hirakud Dam is explicitly mentioned, however, Chhattisgarh has unlawfully monopolized its rights over the river.
Mishra went on to say that Chhattisgarh’s illicit work has been brought to the notice of the Central Administration, Prime Minister, and CWC on several occasions by the Odisha administration and Naveen Patnaik. When the then-Water Resources Minister chaired a meeting in Delhi in 2016, Naveen Patnaik made it apparent that he wanted to stop Chhattisgarh’s illegal work, but the Centre had not given any orders. Odisha’s interests were at that point entirely disregarded by the central government. Following fruitless discussions in all venues against the unapproved construction of barrages in Chhattisgarh, the State government turned to the Supreme Court for a resolution. When it came to forming a tribunal, the Center also took its time. The Mahanadi Tribunal was established in the end.
Odisha has given its side of the story to the tribunal after filing all necessary paperwork. The tribunal’s term has now been extended till April 2026. Odisha has battled in court, protested in public, and engaged in discussions in an effort to find a solution for Mahanadi. But the Centre has done nothing but support the then-BJP government in Chhattisgarh by being a silent spectator. Consequently, the BJP administration ought to attempt to resolve the issue rather than spreading false information that the Odisha government is doing nothing regarding Mahanadi. According to Mishra, BJD is attentive about the Mahanadi issue. The BJD is completely focused on serving the needs of the residents living in the Mahanadi River basin. Pratap Keshari Dev, a former minister and Aul MLA, has also referred to revenue Minister Suresh Pujari’s statement on Mahandi as unfortunate.
