Argus News - Pradhan Expresses Anguish Over Missing of Machhkund River in Odisha Map

Bhubaneswar, Apr 5: Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday expressed anguish over the missing of the Machhakunda River, which marks the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, in the revenue map of Odisha. 

"The Machhkund River that marks the Andhra-Odisha border is the lifeline of Koraput and our identity. Being very part of Odisha, the Machhakunda River is very important and relevant (For Odisha's growth). It pained me a lot as I learned from newspapers that it is missing from our State's revenue map. It is a serious matter for Odias," Pradhan wrote on 'X', formerly known as Twitter. 

He said the news has irked Odisha residents while infiltration from the neighbouring State (Andhra Pradesh) remains to be acutely unabated. Earlier, the Odisha government had handed over the 'Machhakund Hydro Project', built near the Machhakund River, to the Andhra Government. Besides, a blunder was marked in a Class X book, published by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha which mentioned Machhkund Hydro Project belonged to Andhra Pradesh, rued Pradhan.  

"It is a matter of concern that the Odisha Government is not serious to find out ways to resolve sensitive issues of our geographic places and border areas," Pradhan said and wanted to know if it is 'transformation' done during the 25 years of governance. 

"It (Machhkund River) is the self-identity of 4.5 core people of Odisha and also a matter concerning to the State's interest," Pradhan noted further.