Bhubaneswar: Lanka Dinakar, Chairperson of the Twenty Points Programme (TPP), government of Andhra Pradesh, is on a study tour to Odisha from April 26 to 29, 2026, to review the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, SDG performance, and the State’s Vision Document aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
As part of the visit, he held a meeting 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 agenda.
Addressing officials from various departments, Dinakar appreciated Odisha’s growth under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. He highlighted the objectives of the Viksit Bharat initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on welfare, governance, and development.
He noted that India has progressed from the 11th-largest economy in 2014 to one of the world’s leading economies and is on track to become the third-largest by 2029-30, with a long-term goal of becoming the largest by 2047. He emphasised that states will play a crucial role in achieving this vision.
Dinakar pointed to the strategic proximity of Visakhapatnam to cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Berhampur, stating that improved road, rail, and air connectivity offer strong regional opportunities. He said the Visakhapatnam Industrial Corridor could act as a key growth driver.
He highlighted Odisha’s rich mineral resources as a foundation for long-term growth, along with potential in eco-tourism and spiritual tourism. He also commended the state’s disaster management capabilities in coastal regions, citing best practices in preparedness, response, and post-disaster recovery during cyclones.
The Chairperson noted Odisha’s strong financial management and its recognition as the top-ranked state in the Fiscal Health Index. He further appreciated the state’s handloom and handicrafts sector, including Dokra art and palm leaf painting, as well as its pace of urbanisation.
Officials from the Planning & Convergence Department presented details on Odisha’s Vision Document and SDG achievements. The Finance Department outlined the role of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and major development projects in poverty reduction and socio-economic growth.
Dinakar interacted with participants and said the visit would support knowledge exchange and improved governance practices. He added that both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh would contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat through strengthened public service delivery.
