Raipur: A lingering controversy over the Indravati River’s flow has flared into a new political standoff in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress and the BJP exchanging accusations about water availability in Bastar and the recent flooding.
Congress Calls for Complete Transparency
State Congress leader Deepak Baij appealed to the state administration to publish, in detail, the volume of water that reaches Chhattisgarh from Odisha each monsoon and the quantity that remains for Bastar during the dry spell. Speaking in Jagdalpur, Baij insisted that the Indravati water‑sharing pact be made publicly accessible and asked whether prior notices on rising water levels and releases from Odisha are being communicated to local officials.
He argued that timely data could have mitigated the impact of the latest 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 Agreements
BJP spokesperson Shivnarayan Pandey brushed aside the Congress criticism, referencing the agreements forged by previous governments. Pandey said the Congress should first scrutinise those historic decisions before laying blame on the current administration for the Indravati situation.
The party maintains that 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 utilising its allocated 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 everyday needs.
Flood Management Becomes a Flashpoint
The recent deluge in Bastar added another dimension 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 promptly.
Conversely, the BJP asserted 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 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 unresolved issues.
For now, the Indravati controversy has turned into a fresh political flashpoint, with each side keen to attribute responsibility for the region’s water and flood woes to the other.
