"We earnestly urge you to use your constitutional power and direct the Chhatisgarh government to immediately stop construction of all on-going projects till the issue is resolved," a memorandum addressed to the President, signed by all the non-BJD party leaders, said. The memorandum was submitted at the Raj Bhavan here.
The delegation led by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress also urged the President to ensure formation of a 'river board' under River Board Act, 1956 to resolve all disputes between Odisha and Chhatisgarh on the Mahanadi water failing which a tribunal might be constituted in accordance with law.
The memorandum, which was also signed by social organisations, civil society and experts on Mahanadi River System, said the dispute was a direct fall out of neighbouring Chhatisgarh's unilateral decision to construct various projects such as dams, barrages and check dams over the Mahanadi as well as its tributaries, ignoring the right of downstream riparian Odisha state.
Stating that such construction on upstream of Mahanadi is bound to affect the water flow of Mahanadi system and is sure to trigger drought and devastation in Odisha, they said people were already out on streets in various parts of Odisha protesting against Chhatisgarh's attempt to extract more water from the Mahanadi by constructing various barrages and dams.
The delegation comprised leaders from Congress, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), TMC, Forward Bloc and others.