Congress Demands Odisha CM's Statement on Andhra Pradesh's Kotia Hydropower Project

Congress leaders in Odisha demanded a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Andhra Pradesh's efforts to set up a hydropower project in the disputed Kotia region, raising concerns over the potential impact on local tribal villages and Odisha's land and water resources.

The Congress on Tuesday demanded a statement from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi regarding Andhra Pradesh's efforts to establish a hydropower project in Kotia, a disputed border area. During the zero hour of the assembly proceedings, Congress Legislature Party Leader Rama Chandra Kadam voiced concerns over alleged intrusions in Kotia villages in Odisha's Koraput district.

Kadam criticized the Odisha government's silence, stating that Andhra Pradesh's actions could lead to the submergence of several tribal villages for their proposed 1200 MW hydropower project, causing significant hardship to the tribal communities in the region.

Echoing these sentiments, Congress MLA Raazen Ekka highlighted the BJP's past emphasis on Odia pride (asmita) and questioned the state's handling of the issue. Ekka demanded the Chief Minister clarify whether the project would benefit Odisha's people. Meanwhile, sources indicated that Andhra Pradesh had already signed an MoU with the Adani Group and begun groundwork for the project near the disputed area.

(With inputs from agencies.)