Bhubaneswar: A delegation led by Lanka Dinakar, Chairperson of the Twenty Points Programme (TPP), Government of Andhra Pradesh, is on a four-day study tour to Odisha from April 26 to 29 to examine the State’s implementation of flagship Centrally Sponsored Schemes, performance on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its Vision Document aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047.
As part of the visit, the delegation held discussions with senior officials of the Odisha government at Lokseva Bhawan on April 27. T. Ao, Special Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives of the meeting.
Addressing officials, Dinakar commended Odisha’s development trajectory under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and elaborated on the vision of Narendra Modi for a developed India by 2047. He highlighted that India has progressed significantly over the past decade and is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2029–30.
Emphasising the role of states in achieving national goals, he noted that improved connectivity between Visakhapatnam and key Odisha cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur offers strong potential for regional economic integration. He said the Visakhapatnam Industrial Corridor could act as a major growth engine for eastern India.
The TPP Chairperson also praised Odisha’s mineral wealth, eco-tourism and spiritual tourism potential, as well as its globally recognised handicrafts sector, including Dokra art and palm leaf painting. He lauded the State’s disaster management capabilities, particularly in handling cyclones and coastal emergencies.
Highlighting governance strengths, Dinakar pointed to Odisha’s prudent financial management and its top ranking in the Fiscal Health Index. He also noted rapid urbanisation and effective implementation of welfare and development programmes.
Officials from the Planning & Convergence Department presented Odisha’s Vision Document and SDG progress, while the Finance Department detailed the impact of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in poverty alleviation and socio-economic development.
The visiting Chairperson said the tour would facilitate exchange of best practices and strengthen cooperation between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in achieving the goals of a developed India.
