Bhubaneswar : A significant development, the internationally renowned Rath Yatra will be held in Kotia with full grandeur tonight. For the first time, Odisha’s Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, along with several other ministers, is set to participate in the chariot-pulling ceremony. This comes after repeated requests from Kotia residents urging ministerial participation in the event.
The government has finalized the itinerary, and the presence of top officials is seen as both a cultural and strategic move, given the ongoing border tensions with Andhra Pradesh. Traditionally, Kotia holds its Rath Yatra a day after Puri’s iconic festival, and this year’s celebration carries greater political and administrative significance.
Notably, a 16 member high level committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Revenue Minister to resolve the long-standing Kotia border dispute. The committee held its first meeting on June 3 and has begun drafting independent strategies to counter Andhra Pradesh’s enticing welfare schemes in the region.
Government sources confirm that during the minister’s visit to Kotia, a detailed review of border infrastructure and administrative presence may also be undertaken. Officials hint that this symbolic participation in the religious event is a deliberate move to assert Odisha’s strong cultural and political hold over the region.
As Kotia increasingly draws attention from both Odisha and Andhra administrations, the state government has expedited its outreach with new development proposals, citizen engagement, and public welfare solutions tailored to local needs.
