Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati arrived in Koraput district on Monday for an official visit to review various development initiatives and engage with stakeholders across sectors.
The Governor was received at Jeypore Airport by Koraput District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, Superintendent of Police Rohit Varma, and Jeypore Sub-Collector Akavaram Sasya Reddy. He was formally welcomed and felicitated by the district administration.
As part of his itinerary, the Governor visited the Koraput Coffee Board, where he interacted with tribal coffee farmers. Officials briefed him on the growing global recognition of Koraput coffee and the district’s reliance on it, with nearly 90 percent of the area under coffee cultivation.
“The tribal farmers of Koraput have become self-reliant through coffee farming,” officials stated. The Governor toured the coffee plantation, tasted the local brew, and praised its distinctive flavor. He also discussed strategies for expanding the market reach of Koraput coffee.
At the Koraput Special Circuit House, the Governor held a meeting with representatives from NALCO, Damanjodi. With the company preparing for its transition from Navratna to Maharatna status, discussions centered on the progress of industrial operations and the development of surrounding areas.
The Governor also visited the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital and reviewed the healthcare infrastructure. Emphasising the hospital’s importance in serving the undivided Koraput region, he called for strengthening its facilities and ensuring quality healthcare delivery.
Further, the Governor held a review meeting with officials from the Council of Analytical Tribal Studies (COATS) and interacted with notable individuals including ‘Seed Girl’ Harshita Priyadarshini Mohanty and Padma Shri awardee Gobardhan Panika. He also engaged with beneficiaries of the Mudra scheme and representatives of the Indian Red Cross Society.
In the evening, Governor Kambhampati paid a visit to the Lord Jagannath Temple at Sabar Srikhetra in Koraput. He offered prayers and performed the customary circumambulation ritual.
Among those present during the Governor’s visit were Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha, Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra, Additional District Magistrate Tapan Kumar Naik, Coffee Board official Upendra Kumar Saha, and District Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer Benudhar Sabar, along with other senior officials.
