Raipur: A simmering disagreement over the Indravati River’s flow has boiled over into a fresh political confrontation in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress and the BJP trading accusations about water availability in Bastar and the recent deluge.
Congress Demands Full Transparency
State Congress leader Deepak Baij called on the state administration to publish, in detail, the volume of water that streams into Chhattisgarh from Odisha each monsoon and the amount that remains for Bastar during the dry spell. Speaking in Jagdalpur, Baij urged that the Indravati water‑sharing pact be made publicly accessible and asked whether advance notices of rising water levels and releases from Odisha are being communicated to local officials.
He maintained that timely data could have mitigated the recent floods and advocated for a door‑to‑door survey of affected households, along with continued provision of food, rations and shelter until displaced residents can return safely.
BJP Defends Earlier Pacts
BJP spokesperson Shivnarayan Pandey brushed aside the Congress critique, pointing to the agreements forged by former 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, the legacy accords have shaped today’s water‑availability challenges in the region.
Bastar’s Water Supply Under the Lens
The BJP also alleged that Odisha has erected several storage and supply structures on the Indravati, while Chhattisgarh has lagged in harnessing its entitled share. Pandey linked this shortfall to reduced river flows in summer and warned that dwindling water levels threaten the iconic Chitrakote waterfall.
For the largely agrarian Bastar district, the Indravati remains a lifeline 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, insisted 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 unfolds 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.
