New Delhi: The Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal has framed 36 issues for argument in a petition filed by Odisha challenging the construction and operation of barrages on Mahanadi river by Chhattisgarh.
Out of 36 issues, 23 were submitted by Odisha while 13 were submitted by Chhattisgarh. All the parties will have to complete admission and denial in respect of the issues framed by the tribunal before August 8- the next hearing of the tribunal.
The tribunal will hear submissions on whether the ongoing projects in Chattisgarh for use of 2.95 MAF of water would cause prejudicial affection to the interests of state of Odisha during non-monsoon months. The tribunal will see whether the six industrial barrages constructed by Chhattisgarh are illegal and whether the alleged construction of 516 anicuts, barrages and others in Mahanadi basin by state of Chhattisgarh to utilise 1.25 MAF of water have prejudicially affected the downstream flows in Odisha during non-monsoon months, from November to May.
The tribunal will hear arguments on whether the project report of the Mahanadi Valley Development Hirakud Dam Project 1947 as prepared by the Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWI&NC) constitutes and agreement, arrangement or understanding as contended by Odisha and whether such agreements are enforceable against other riparian states including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
It is to be mentioned here that Odisha and Chhattisgarh have filed petitions in the Mahanadi water dispute tribunal with respect to sharing of Mahanadi river water. Odisha, in its petition, claimed that Chhattisgarh has constructed several barrages on the river obstructing the water flow to Odisha.
Odisha has sought a stay on the construction and operation of six barrages being built on Mahanadi river and also for maintaining a specific flow of water during the non-monsoon months, November to May.