Bhubaneswar, May 7 (BNP): The Odisha government is making active efforts to establish a degree college in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district to strengthen educational infrastructure and support the development of local communities, a state minister said on Thursday.
The announcement comes amid the state government’s continued focus on improving education, healthcare, connectivity and welfare facilities in the bordering Kotia gram panchayat area, which has remained at the centre of a long-standing territorial dispute between Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking on the initiative, the minister said the proposed degree college aims to provide higher education opportunities to students from remote tribal and border villages who often face difficulties in accessing educational institutions located far from their native areas.
“The government is making sincere efforts to establish a degree college in Kotia so that students from the region can pursue higher education without having to travel long distances. Strengthening education in border areas remains one of our priorities,” the minister stated.
Officials said the move is part of Odisha’s broader developmental strategy for Kotia, where the state government has already launched several welfare schemes and infrastructure projects to improve the quality of life of residents.
The proposed college is expected to benefit tribal students significantly by increasing access to undergraduate education and encouraging higher enrolment from economically weaker sections.
The Odisha government has repeatedly asserted its administrative and cultural connection with Kotia villages while continuing legal and constitutional efforts regarding the border dispute.
Apart from educational initiatives, the state has also accelerated development works in the region, including road connectivity, drinking water supply, healthcare facilities, mobile connectivity, and livelihood programmes.
The establishment of a degree college in Kotia is being seen as another important step towards empowering youth in the border region and reinforcing the state’s commitment to inclusive development.
