Bhubaneswar, May 1 -- Long-pending dispute over Mahanadi river water is set to take a crucial step forward, with the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) scheduled to hold its next hearing on May 2 (tomorrow), official sources said on Friday.

Ahead of the proceedings, Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari expressed cautious optimism, indicating that the case is finally gaining momentum after years of slow progress during the previous BJD-led government.

According to the Minister, the pace of hearings has significantly improved in recent months, with the tribunal now convening two to three times every month. This marks a notable shift from the past days, where, in the last five years, only a single witness statem...