The NGO contended Before the NGT that industries located along the river were discharging waste directly into Mahanadi which was also adversely affecting the ecosystem. “State of Odisha is implementing several major and medium irrigation projects in the lower catchment of Hirakud dam and tributaries of Mahanadi river. The NGO contended that industries located along the river were discharging waste directly into Mahanadi which was also adversely affecting the ecosystem. The issue of sharing of Mahanadi river water has snowballed into a major controversy between the two states. Odisha has been accusing Chhattisgarh of unilaterally constructing projects on the upstream of Mahanadi river which caused decline in the flow of its water to the state.

Source: Indian Express October 06, 2016 13:30 UTC