Odisha Govt Plans Degree College in Disputed Kotia Area

Suresh Pujari on Wednesday said the Odisha government has initiated efforts to establish a degree college in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district, aiming to strengthen educational infrastructure and development in the sensitive border area.

The minister made the announcement after visiting the Kotia region along with Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday. During the visit, the ministers participated in several local programmes, including rituals associated with the installation of the chariot wheel of Goddess Subhadra brought from the Shree Jagannath Temple.

The Kotia cluster of villages has long remained a disputed territory, with both Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh staking claim over the area. The border dispute has been pending before the Supreme Court of India since 1968.

Speaking to reporters, Pujari said the proposed degree college would help improve access to higher education for students living in the remote tribal region. He added that the state government is committed to accelerating development activities in Kotia and ensuring better educational, cultural and administrative outreach in the area.

The visit by the ministers is being seen as part of Odisha’s continued efforts to reinforce its presence and welfare initiatives in the disputed villages amid the prolonged territorial disagreement with Andhra Pradesh.