By Bizodisha Bureau in Bhubaneswar, October 6, 2016 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday issued notices to Odisha, Chhattisgarh and the Centre to keep their sides on sharing of Mahanadi river water within four weeks.

The NGT’s order comes in response to a petition filed by an NGO.

The NGO has alleged that construction of barrages and dams by the Chhattisgarh government on the upper catchments of Mahanadi has seriously affected the water flow to the downstream areas causing adverse impact on ecology and environment.

Counsel of the NGO,  Mukesh Kumar Singh said the NGT has decided to take stern action on this matter as the blocked water by the barrages and dams constructed on upper catchments of Mahanadi is being given to the industries and as a result, water flow of the river in the downstream areas has substantially diminished.

“Besides, the polluted water released by these industries into the river has thoroughly polluted the downstream areas has posed serious threat to the biodiversity of Chilika, Satkosia and Bhitarkanika. Considering the above, the Tribunal has asked the two states and the Centre to keep their sides within four weeks”, he added.

Meanwhile, Odisha Congress Legislators led by leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra has decided to take up the matter with the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

“Congress will try its best for the safety of Mahanadi and to safeguard the interest of the people of Odisha. For this reason, we will meet the President and place our demands and seeks his intervention in the matter. We had requested the President to spare some of his time for us to which he has agreed to our request. As scheduled, the Congress Legislature team will meet the President at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the morning on October 13”, Mishra told newsmen here on Thursday.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal [BJD] spokesperson Pratap Deb said his party is not opposed to the decision of the Leader of the Opposition. If the President has agreed for a meeting with the Congress legislators, let them meet him. The Congress legislators have the right to redress their grievances and place their demands.

He further said the people of Odisha and the media are aware of the action taken by the chief minister on Mahanadi issue.