While ambitious plans are being made to link rivers across the country, a tussle over water-sharing has already begun between some neighbouring States. Although the Orissa Government has assured that it is prepared to help Chattisgarh in resolving the drinking water crisis in Jagdalpur, the row over sharing waters from the Indravati river is far from over.

Both Orissa and Chattisgarh have been trading charges over the amount of water that should be shared during the lean months. The water dispute intensified when Orissa rejected Chattisgarh’s demand for nine tmc (thousand million cubic feet) of water between November and June. The controversy snowballed to the point of Chattisgarh threatening not to co-operate in the proposed Ib river project.

Way back in 1979, the two neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa had signed an agreement in Bhopal on sharing Indravati water. Incidentally, this was prior to the construction of the Indravati dam and the formation of the new State of Chattisgarh. According to the agreement, Orissa would have to ensure the supply of 45 tmc of water per year to Madhya Pradesh. Orissa Government officials maintain that this agreement was being duly honoured and not only that, at times, the supply far exceeded the stipulated amount going up to as much as 60 to 70 tmc in some years.

But now things have changed and the increasing water scarcity has forced the two neighbours to review the situation. Over the years, the course of the Indravati has slightly changed. It has diverted substantially upwards towards Nowrangpur district in Orissa in the form of a rivulet (locally known as the Johra nala) and this was the root cause of the problem. The rivulet was draining the water upwards, depriving the villages in Bastar region and especially Jagdalpur town which faces acute water shortage during the summer months.

In a bid to solve this problem on a permanent basis, both the States had got together through the intervention of the Central Water Commission, and agreed to construct two structures, one at the mouth of the Johra Nala and another on the river Indravati, to regulate the flow of water, keeping in view the requirements of both States.

Unfortunately, before the proposed construction could materialise, the two States engaged in an accusation match. When Chhatisgarh asked for nine tmc water, the Orissa Government alleged that the demand was on the higher side and sought a reconsideration. It is learnt that the Chattisgarh Government blamed Orissa for being adamant and pressed for the release of 20 per cent of the 45 tmc water during lean months. A top Chattisgarh water resource official was said to have threatened that the new State will not co-operate in the Ib river project. However, the Orissa Government has not received any such official communication from the Chattisgarh Government. As far as Orissa’s water resource officials know, the Central Water Commission has given clearance for the Rs. 1,200 crore interstate Ib project and the Government intends going ahead with it.