New Delhi: In compliance to the order of Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT), the teams of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, headed by advocate general from both the states, will meet March 16 to amicably resolve the interim application filed by Odisha against Chhattisgarh over sharing of Mahanadi river water.
According to sources, the teams comprising legal luminaries headed by advocate generals of both states will hold discussion at Ashoka Hotel in Delhi.
Earlier, advocate general of Odisha Surya Prasad Misra had said that the meeting would be held between the legal teams of both states. However, the legal team can take assistance of technical experts and officers in respect to technical aspects in the case.
Notably, the MWDT March 9 directed the advocate generals of both states to hold discussion for amicable settlement of interim dispute and deferred the pronouncement of judgment till March 30. The tribunal’s order came after the talks between officials and technical experts from both states remained unsuccessful.
In the meeting held February 25, officials from Odisha had put forth their demand before the representatives of Chhattisgarh to maintain 1.252 million acre feet (MAF) water flow at the Hirakud Dam during non-monsoon months. However, the state of Chhattisgarh did not agree with the Odisha’s demand.
Significantly, Odisha had filed an interim application in the tribunal seeking stay on the operation of barrages being built by Chhattisgarh on Mahanadi River and 1.74 million acre feet (MAF) flow of the river water to the state during non-monsoon months between November and May.
