Ramon Magsaysay Award and Stockholm Water Prize winner Dr Rajendra Singh joined a workshop on "Water literacy and Mahanadi Safety Drive" here on Saturday.
Speaking on Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Singh advocated for the creation of a dedicated water-body organisation so that a dialogue can be fostered between the civil societies of Odisha and Chhattisgarh basing on which the two States would work together resolve the issue.
“If such dialogues are not initiated, the Mahanadi issue could be escalated to a Cauvery-like crisis between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” said Singh.
He submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the research and revival of rivers. He also informed that a walk would be organised between the origin and junction point of Mahanadi on September 16 and 17.
Singh added that the common men and women of both the States should make their respective Governments accountable to arrive at an amicable solution to the problem instead of making it a political conflict. He said he has held discussions with both Chhattisgarh CM Raman Sigh and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on the topic.
The workshop was inaugurated by Jharsuguda Municipality chairman Harish Ganatra. ‘Agami Odisha’ onvener Sudarsan Das and 'Save Jharsuguda' president Jagannath Bhoe, Press Club president Santosh Misha and general secretary Mehboob Mahtab, civil society members, senior citizens and students participated.
