The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday issued notice to the Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Central Governments to keep their sides on the ongoing row over sharing of Mahanadi water within four weeks.
The NGT’s move came in response to a petition filed by an NGO.
Alleging that the construction of barrages and dams by the Chhattisgarh Government on the Mahanadi upper catchments has seriously affected the water flow to the downstream areas causing adverse impact on ecology and environment, the NGO has urged the NGT to urgently intervene in the matter.
NGO’s counsel Mukesh Kumar Singh told the media that the NGT has decided to take stern action in the matter as the water blocked by the barrages and dams is being given to the industries. “Besides, the water released by these industries into the river has thoroughly polluted the downstream areas posing a serious threat to the biodiversity of Chilika, Satkosia and Bhitarkanika.”
Meanwhile, a team of Odisha Congress MlAs led by leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra has decided to take up the matter with the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Mishra told reporters in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, “The Congress will try its best for the safety of Mahanadi and to safeguard the interest of the people of Odisha. For this reason, we will meet the President and place our demands and seek his intervention. We had requested the President to spare some of his time for us to which he has agreed. As scheduled, the Congress team will meet the President in the morning on October 13.”
BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said his party is not opposed to the decision of the leader of Opposition. If the President has agreed for a meeting with the Congress MlAs, let them meet him.”
He added the people of Odisha are aware of the steps taken by the Chief Minister on the Mahanadi issue.