Bhopal/New Delhi, July 8 (APAC Media): In a major breakthrough for inter-state cooperation, the long-pending Narmada Agreement has been finalised, ending a decades-old dispute over the Sardar Sarovar Project.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan signed a historic one-time settlement in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The agreement resolves long-standing issues related to cost-sharing and pending financial liabilities under the Narmada Award.
आज नई दिल्ली में सरदार सरोवर परियोजना पर महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात, राजस्थान और मध्य प्रदेश के बीच एक महत्वपूर्ण समझौता हुआ। नर्मदा अवार्ड से जुड़े इन दशकों से लंबित भुगतान संबंधी मुद्दों का वन-टाइम सेटलमेंट से समाधान हुआ।
यह समझौता मोदी सरकार के जल सुरक्षा को मजबूत करने और जल क्षेत्र… pic.twitter.com/YiRE4YOrOY
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 7, 2026
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on July 7 by the Chief Ministers of the four states:
- Dr. Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh)
- Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat)
- Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra)
- Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan)
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, along with senior officials from the Centre and the four states, was also present at the meeting.
The agreement resolves the long-pending issue of outstanding payments under the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (Narmada Award).
The issue had remained unresolved for years among Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
The dispute centred on the sharing of construction costs for the Sardar Sarovar Project.
Under the one-time settlement, the four states have mutually resolved all pending financial claims, bringing the decades-old dispute to an end.
The agreement is being seen as a major step towards strengthening cooperative federalism and improving coordination among states.
It is also expected to facilitate the smoother implementation of large inter-state infrastructure and water projects in the future.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the agreement as a historic milestone.
He said the long-pending dispute over Narmada Award payments has been resolved through consensus among the four states.
Shah said the settlement reflects the spirit of cooperative federalism and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with encouraging states to work together to resolve long-standing water-related issues.
He added that several initiatives have been undertaken under the Prime Minister’s leadership to strengthen water security and improve coordination among states.
Amit Shah said the presence of “double-engine governments” in several states has improved coordination and helped resolve long-pending inter-state issues.
He said better cooperation between the Centre and the states has reduced delays and enabled governments to focus more on development.
Amit Shah praised the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra for working together to resolve a major inter-state issue.
He said the agreement reflects the spirit of cooperative federalism and shows how states can collaborate for national development.
Highlighting the importance of the Sardar Sarovar Project, Amit Shah said it has improved irrigation, drinking water supply, and power generation in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
He said Narmada water has also transformed agriculture and improved farmers’ livelihoods in Rajasthan.
Amit Shah said several inter-state water disputes are being resolved under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
He cited the Haryana-Rajasthan water dispute and progress on the Kishau Dam project as examples of the Centre’s efforts to resolve long-pending issues through dialogue.
Shah said prolonged disputes can delay development and lead to national losses.
He stressed that water resources should be managed in the larger public interest and that cooperation among states benefits everyone.
He urged states to resolve inter-state issues through consensus for the country’s overall development.
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