Raipur: A simmering dispute over the Indravati River’s waters has erupted into a fresh political showdown in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress and the BJP trading barbs over water availability in Bastar and the recent flooding.
Congress Calls for Full Disclosure
State Congress chief Deepak Baij urged the state administration to reveal, in detail, how much water flows into Chhattisgarh from Odisha each monsoon and how much remains for Bastar during the dry months. Speaking in Jagdalpur, Baij pressed for the Indravati water‑sharing agreement to be posted publicly, and asked whether advance notices about rising water levels and releases from Odisha are being shared with local authorities.
He argued that timely data could have lessened the impact of the recent floods, and he called for a door‑to‑door survey of affected families, along with continued provision of food, rations and shelter until displaced residents can return safely.
BJP Defends Earlier Pacts
BJP spokesperson Shivnarayan Pandey dismissed the Congress critique, pointing to the accords struck by previous governments. Pandey said the Congress should first examine those historic decisions before blaming the current administration for the Indravati issue.
According to the party, the legacy agreements have shaped today’s water‑availability challenges in the region.
Bastar’s Water Supply in the Spotlight
The BJP also alleged that Odisha has built several storage and supply structures on the Indravati, while Chhattisgarh has lagged in harnessing its allotted share. Pandey linked this shortfall to lower river flows in the summer and warned that dwindling water levels threaten the famed Chitrakote waterfall.
For the largely agrarian Bastar district, the Indravati remains a lifeline for irrigation and daily needs.
Flood Management Becomes a Point of Contention
The recent deluge in Bastar added another layer to the debate. Congress highlighted the lack of early warnings about water releases and rising river stages, demanding stronger communication systems so vulnerable communities can be evacuated in time.
The BJP, however, maintained that officials received advance notice of the releases and that the heavy rains were part of a broader weather system affecting multiple states.
Long‑Term Sharing Talks Continue
This latest spat sits against a backdrop of a protracted water‑sharing disagreement between Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The central government has been urging both states to engage in technical consultations, while an expanded committee led by the Central Water Commission examines outstanding issues.
For now, the Indravati controversy has become a fresh political flashpoint, with each side eager to place responsibility for the region’s water and flood woes on the other.
