Raipur: A simmering controversy 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 Complete Transparency
State Congress leader Deepak Baij appealed to the state administration to publish, in detail, the volume of water that enters 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 agreement be made publicly accessible and asked whether advance notices of rising water levels and releases from Odisha are being communicated to local officials.
He argued that timely information could have mitigated the impact of the recent floods and called for 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 Past Pacts
BJP spokesperson Shivnarayan Pandey brushed aside the Congress criticism, pointing to the agreements forged by former governments. Pandey said the Congress should first scrutinise those historic decisions before blaming the current administration for the Indravati issue.
According to the party, those 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 allotted 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 largely agrarian Bastar district, the Indravati remains a lifeline for irrigation and everyday 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 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 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 unresolved issues.
For now, the Indravati controversy has become a fresh political flashpoint, with each side eager to assign responsibility for the region’s water and flood woes to the other.
