Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said the State Government, if required, would move the Supreme Court for setting up of a Tribunal to resolve Mahanadi water sharing issue under the Inter-State Water Dispute Act 1956 for interest of Odisha.
“We will explore all options. We will leave no stone unturned to protect the interests of Odisha. That would certainly include the legal option of approaching the apex court for setting up of Tribunal under the Inter-State Water Dispute Act 1956,” he said, adding “The serious environment threats posed by these projects (barrages in Chhattisgarh) will be decisively challenged in all suitable forums including the National Green Tribunal (NGT).”
Patnaik told reporters after meeting that his proposal of forming an Expert Committee to look into the Mahanadi issue was not accepted by them (the Chhattisgarh Government).
“About 65 per cent of our population is dependent on Mahanadi. The river provides a huge ecological balance to our otherwise disaster-prone State. I proposed strongly to stop construction barrages upstream Mahanadi for some time and to form an Expert Committee to look into issue. But they didn’t accept the proposal. I have convened a State Cabinet meeting tomorrow to take further decision,” Patnaik said.
He said biodiversity hotspots of Chilka lake, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia and Gahirmata would be impacted if free flow of water in Mahanadi is disturbed.
He too stated that Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti, who presided over the tripartite meeting, could not prevail upon the Chhattisgasrh Government to agree to the just concerns of the State.
“She stated that the Union Ministry can at best play an advisory role and not issue any binding directions. Hence, the tripartite meeting could not succeed, leaving the Odisha Government with no option than to explore other options for the livelihood and wellbeing of about two-third of Odisha’s population,” Patnaik said.