Raipur: A long‑standing disagreement over the flow of the Indravati River has erupted into a new political showdown in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress and the BJP exchanging accusations about water availability in Bastar and the recent flooding.
Congress Calls for Full Transparency
State Congress leader Deepak Baij appealed to the state administration to publish detailed figures on how much water the Indravati delivers to Chhattisgarh from Odisha each monsoon and how much remains for Bastar during the dry spell. Speaking in Jagdalpur, Baij asked for the water‑sharing agreement to be made publicly accessible and questioned whether advance notices of rising water levels and releases from Odisha are being shared with local officials.
He argued that timely data could have mitigated the impact of the recent floods and urged a door‑to‑door survey of affected households, along with continued provision of food, rations and shelter until displaced residents can safely return.
BJP Defends Earlier Pacts
BJP spokesperson Shivnarayan Pandey dismissed the Congress criticism, pointing to the treaties forged by previous governments. Pandey said the Congress should first scrutinise those historic decisions before laying blame on the current administration for the Indravati issue.
According to the party, those legacy agreements have shaped today’s water‑availability challenges in the region.
Bastar’s Water Supply Under the Lens
The BJP also alleged that Odisha has constructed several storage and supply structures on the Indravati, while Chhattisgarh has lagged in utilising its entitled share. Pandey linked this shortfall to reduced river flows in the summer and warned that dwindling water levels threaten the iconic Chitrakote waterfall.
For the predominantly agrarian Bastar district, the Indravati remains a vital source for irrigation and daily needs.
Flood Management Becomes a Flashpoint
The recent deluge in Bastar added another layer to the debate. Congress highlighted the absence of early warnings about water releases and rising river stages, demanding stronger communication mechanisms so vulnerable communities can be evacuated in time.
The BJP, however, maintained that officials received prior notice of the releases and that the heavy rains were part of a larger weather system affecting multiple states.
Long‑Term Sharing Talks Continue
This latest spat unfolds against a backdrop of a protracted water‑sharing dispute 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 the outstanding issues.
For now, the Indravati controversy has become a fresh political flashpoint, with each side keen to assign responsibility for the region’s water and flood woes to the other.
