Mahanadi Row: Naveen takes on Chhattisgarh Govt & Balyan

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik came down heavily on the Chhattisgarh Government on the issue of building barrages on Mahanadi River. The CM termed the statement of Chhattisgarh CM Dr. Raman Singh ‘unfortunate’.

Raman Singh had earlier had issued a statement, saying nobody would be able to stop Chhattisgarh from fully utilising the water of Mahanadi. It was seen as an open challenge to Odisha.

“River Mahanadi is the lifeline of four crore Odias. We seek a halt on any construction of barrages on the river till an amicable solution is found. We will fight for the interest of our state till our last breath,” said the CM.

CM Naveen Patnaik also criticised Union MoS Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Sanjeev Balyan and accused of giving false information on the floor of the House. Balyan had yesterday claimed that Odisha Government was approached by Chhattisgarh in 2006 and 2015 before construction of two barrages, but the former failed to respond.