Odisha MP seeks Centre’s intervention in ‘irregularities’ by Andhra Govt in Machhkund project

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Congress MP from Odisha, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, raised alleged irregularities and mismanagement by Andhra Pradesh Government in the Machhkund Power Generation project in Koraput district.

Bringing the issue into notice of the Central Government in Lok Sabha today, Ulaka alleged that there is a massive irregularity and mismanagement by Andhra Pradesh authorities ignoring the interests of Odisha

He said that the project was established at Machhkund in Koraput district with the joint venture of the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha governments 50 years ago with a condition to use 70% and 30% of power respectively. As per the agreement, the ratio would be 50:50 after the completion of 50 years of its establishment.

However, the ratio is yet to be implemented and the Andhra Government allegedly appears to be non-cooperative with Odisha in its management.

“The Superintending Engineer of the Andhra Pradesh Government who is in charge of the Project is adamant and does not consult the Odisha State Government authorities in any matter and taking his own decisions. Joint meeting of the Governments which is mandatory as per agreement are never held and the Superintending Engineer is paying a deaf ear to the claims and demands of the Odisha State,” the Koraput MP said in the House.

Further, there is a medical centre at Onakudelli which was managed by the project. But the said medical center doesn’t have its own management and has been entrusted to a private authority on contract basis by the Superintending Engineer as per his sweet will. The said private authority is not providing suitable services as a result the employees and general public are deprived of regular and proper medical treatment. This medical center is therefore now in defunct condition and people rush to either Koraput or Vishakhapatnam for treatment. We demand restoration of earlier system, he told the House.

Alleging mismanagement by the Andhra authorities, he said, “There was a guest house at Vishakhapatnam owned by the project which was utilized by the employees of the project and the people of the periphery during emergencies on medical purpose at a reasonable rate. This Guest house was closed by the superintending engineer with effect from 20.03.2021 without consulting the Odisha State Govt authorities. As per reports seems the Guest house has been leased out without approval and consulting the Odisha State Govt.”

Apart from the Power Generation project, Machhkund is famous place as a tourist spot where thousands of people including foreigners and from distant places visit the place daily. A winch is provided with which visitors come down to visit the power plant. The journey is quite adventurous which the visitors enjoy very much. But the winch is stopped citing technical defects and no attempts is made to repair and restore. Even the visitors are not allowed to visit the power plant. Without these facilities there has been a drop in tourists which affects the economic condition of the people, Ulaka said.

The Congress parliamentarian requested the concerned ministry to take suitable steps at the Government level for proper management of the project in the larger interest of the people and employees and overall development of Koraput district.

“Take an urgent action so that the mismanagement will be taken care of and the sharing which was 50% Odisha and 50% Andhra Pradesh will be restored,” he said.