Odisha, AP Chief Secretaries Meet; Discuss Road Connectivity, Education

Bhubaneswar: The first Chief Secretary-level meeting between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for mutual discussion of bilateral issues was held on Tuesday.

The meeting was held after recent meeting between Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagmohan Reddy during the latter’s visit to the state.

The virtual meeting, held under the co-chairmanship of Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra and AP Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma, discussed major problems regarding inter-state transportation, road connectivity, filling of teaching posts in Odia and Telgu medium schools and colleges operating in both the states.

Setting up of Odia Language Chair in Dr BR Amedkar University at Srikakulam and Telugu Language Chair in Berhampur University were mutually agreed to be carried forward.

Mahapatra highlighted the need for road communication to Swabhiman Anchal from AP side. He said the area was well connected through Gurupriya Setu and the Maoist issues were curtailed significantly from Odisha side. Road communication from AP side would help in ending the problem of Left Wing Extremism in the area.

Sharma welcomed the proposal and agreed to construct five major roads from Andhra side.

Mahapatra made it clear that joint demarcation committee of both the states at district-level  would demarcate the border area where maps were clear and not under dispute.

It was further decided that the issues relating to Machhkund joint hydroelectric project would be examined by the project administration committee (PAC) under the co-chairmanship of the Principal Secretaries of Energy of both the States.

The meeting of the PAC would be convened shortly for carrying forward three small hydro-electric projects namely Balimela Dam Toe, Japaput SHEP, and Lower Machhkund SHEP. The matter relating to issue of no objection certificates from both the sides for pump storage projects taking water from the reservoirs was discussed in detail.

Mahapatra said the certificates should be issued keeping in view the water share of each State as per the mutual agreement.

Managing Directors of OSRTC and APSRTC would meet shortly for finalising the terms and conditions of reciprocal transport agreement between two states. The meeting also resolved that technical committee of both States would deliberate the issues relating to the proposed projects under water resources department.

The Principal Secretaries of various departments of both the States participated in discussions. From Odisha side, Development Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Jena, Water Resources Secretary Anu Garg, Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Energy Secretary Nikunja Bihari Dhal along with other senior officers participated in deliberations.