The Odisha government has initiated the process to establish a degree college in the disputed Kotia region, intensifying development activities in the area claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The Kotia region is located in Odisha’s Koraput district and has remained at the center of a long-standing inter-state boundary dispute with Andhra Pradesh. The matter has been pending before the Supreme Court of India since 1968. Amid the continuing dispute, the Odisha government has prioritised development initiatives related to education, healthcare, roads and employment in the region.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that the state government is preparing to establish a degree college in Kotia to improve access to higher education for local students.
Pujari, along with Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, recently visited the Kotia region and participated in several government programmes. During the visit, the ministers also took part in religious rituals related to the installation of the chariot wheel of Goddess Subhadra brought from Shree Jagannath Temple.
The minister said the Kotia region had remained deprived of development for nearly 70 years, which, according to him, allowed Andhra Pradesh to expand its outreach in the area through welfare and development programmes.
Pujari stated that the Odisha government is now attempting to change the situation by ensuring that government schemes reach local residents. He added that after the Bharatiya Janata Party formed the government in Odisha, several senior ministers and Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida had visited Kotia and launched welfare initiatives in the area.
The Odisha government has begun preliminary preparations for the proposed degree college project. According to the minister, students in the region have faced difficulties for years due to the absence of higher education facilities. The proposed college is expected to provide local youth with opportunities to pursue higher education within the region.
The government is also planning to send poor and meritorious students to Bhubaneswar for further studies to provide them with improved educational opportunities.
The state government has additionally approved funds for tourism development and employment generation projects in Kotia. Officials believe the region’s natural landscape and cultural heritage can be developed to promote tourism and create new employment opportunities for local residents.
The government has also focused on expanding and improving healthcare services in the region. Pujari said healthcare facilities had remained limited because of the area’s remote location, but steps are now being taken to strengthen hospitals and primary health centres.
According to the minister, new initiatives are being planned to improve healthcare access for rural and tribal communities in the region.
During their visit to Koraput district, the ministers also inaugurated several road projects aimed at improving regional connectivity. Officials said better road infrastructure would improve access to education, healthcare and commercial activities.
Local residents were also distributed land titles under the Forest Rights Act. Eligible beneficiaries received ration cards, pension approvals and benefits under the Subhadra scheme.
The Odisha government stated that the objective of these initiatives is to connect residents of the Kotia region with mainstream development programmes.
The Kotia region has remained the focus of a boundary dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for decades, with both states claiming several villages in the area. Despite the matter remaining pending before the Supreme Court, both state governments have continued efforts to expand development and administrative outreach in the region.
Experts said the Odisha government is attempting to strengthen its administrative presence in the disputed region through development projects.
