NEWS: Odisha and Chhattisgarh have expressed willingness for an amicable settlement through dialogue + technical consultations; an expanded technical committee under the Central Water Commission (CWC) is examining the remaining issues.

BACKGROUND

• Odisha → lower-riparian state; raised concerns in 2016 over upstream projects in Chhattisgarh affecting lean-season flows.
• Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) → constituted in 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• Article 262 → Parliament can provide for adjudication of inter-State river-water disputes.
• Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 → provides for Water Disputes Tribunals.
• River Boards Act, 1956 → provides for coordinated regulation + development of inter-State rivers.

ABOUT MAHANADI

• Major east-flowing Peninsular river.
• Origin → Nagri-Sihawa Hills, Chhattisgarh.
• Flows mainly through Chhattisgarh + Odisha → drains into the Bay of Bengal.
• Major tributaries → Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel + Jonk.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

• Hirakud Dam → Odisha → flood control + irrigation + hydropower.
• Satkosia Gorge → important ecological landscape in the Mahanadi basin.
• Mahanadi Delta → supports agriculture + fisheries.