Odisha

Odisha puts aviation push on runway: 5 airports, 2 int'l gateways by 2030

Draft civil aviation policy aims to strengthen tourism, cargo and industrial growth by expanding airport infrastructure, logistics networks and international air connectivity

Depression in Bay of Bengal to bring heavy rain across several states: IMD

The IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Odisha, Chhattisgarh and parts of eastern India as a depression in Bay of Bengal is set to intensify before hitting the coast

ONGC starts India's first deepwater exploration well off Odisha coast

The state-owned explorer has launched its first deepwater exploratory well under a broader push to unlock offshore hydrocarbon reserves and strengthen India's energy security

HCLTech announces first AI data centre in partnership with Sarvam in Odisha

HCLTech said the planned capital outlay for the project will be around ₹14,257 crore, including financial assistance from the Odisha government.

Odisha seeks to become India's next diamond hub with dedicated policy

Odisha plans a dedicated gems and jewellery policy and park to capitalise on rising lab-grown diamond investments and build an integrated manufacturing ecosystem

Pandian asked to appear in Odisha CMO missing files investigation

The former IAS officer has been asked to appear before investigators on July 25 in connection with the disappearance of two sensitive inquiry reports from the Odisha CMO

Odisha turns to complex fertilisers as DAP, urea supplies come under strain

State asks districts to promote complex fertilisers and ammonium sulphate as alternatives to DAP and urea to ensure uninterrupted crop production during the kharif season

HCL, ACME lead ₹4,574 cr Odisha investment push; 23 projects approved

The State Level Single Window Clearance Authority approved projects across 11 districts, with HCL Technologies and ACME Cleantech among the biggest investors

Odisha's Paradip to anchor critical minerals value chain with mega park

Paradip has been selected as one of four locations for critical mineral processing parks under the NCMM to strengthen domestic supply chains for EVs, semiconductors and defence

Why Karlapat bauxite block has become a major prize for aluminium industry

India's biggest industrial groups are chasing one Odisha mine. What makes the Karlapat bauxite block so valuable, and why does it matter for the aluminium industry?

SC to direct CBSE to implement Odisha HC verdict on APAAR consent forms

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will direct the CBSE to implement a direction of the Orissa High Court to amend the model consent form for the generation of Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry IDs to provide parents with the option to refuse consent or opt out of the scheme. Under the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) scheme, launched by the Ministry of Education under the New Education Policy, 2020, a unique, lifelong 12-digit student ID is generated. It acts as a digital passport for all educational records, securely storing marksheets, degrees and co-curricular achievements in one place. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a plea filed by the parents of four students challenging the validity of the APAAR ID scheme for students on the ground that it compelled them to obtain Aadhaar IDs. The top court said that since the Centre has not challenged the high court's December

BJD to raise Odisha textbook errors, govt's failures in monsoon session

The BJD will raise Odisha textbook errors, alleged failures of the BJP government, price rise, law and order, coal royalty and MPLADS utilisation during Parliament's monsoon session

Gopalpur special economic zone emerges as eastern India's green energy hub

Driven by Tata Steel SEZ, Gopalpur industrial park has attracted over Rs 65,000 crore of investments across green hydrogen, solar, specialty chemicals and advanced manufacturing

Odisha ranks 5th among states in NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index

Odisha has been ranked fifth among states in NITI Aayog's recent Investment Friendliness Index, which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Maji termed a reflection of his government's commitment to transparent governance, industry-friendly policies and efficient service delivery. With an overall score of 52.4, the state is placed next to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa in the "top performers" category. According to an official statement, the NITI Aayog report identifies these five states as leaders in fostering a conducive investment environment. The Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) is India's first comprehensive, evidence-based framework for evaluating the investment ecosystem of all states and Union territories. It assesses performance across eight critical pillars -- infrastructure, business climate, resources, government policy, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health and environmental resilience -- to benchmark states and promote competitive and ...

Odisha targets recovery of 60,426 acres of land, eyes ₹10K cr temple corpus

The state has directed officials to expedite land cases, verify historical records and settle eligible encroachments to create a Rs 10,000 crore temple corpus

Odisha signs IFC agreement to build ₹20,000 crore PPP project pipeline

The state will work with the World Bank Group's private-sector arm to develop around 20 bankable infrastructure projects across key sectors through the PPP model

Women cash transfer schemes: Bigger budgets, but are outcomes also better?

As more states roll out cash transfer schemes for women, a new study shows the real question is not how much they spend, but what outcomes they deliver

One dead, many ill in crowd surge during Rath Yatra in Puri

One person died and many others fell ill in a temporary crowd surge during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Odisha's Puri on Thursday, official sources said. In an unrelated incident, another person died of cardiac arrest, they said. Lakhs of devotees joined the annual Rath Yatra festival in the seaside temple town. The 'Pahandi' ritual, the ceremonial procession of the sibling deities -- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath -- is currently underway. Health department officials were yet to react to the death and injuries. Inspector General Fire Services Umashaknar Dash said there was a heavy rush of people at Grand Road or Bada Danda on which the chariots roll down to Shree Gundicha Temple, considered the birthplace of the deities. "So far, we have rescued almost 100 people who felt suffocated in the crowd. We have taken them to temporary hospitals and ambulances. That has given relief to devotees," Dash told reporters. Meanwhile, BJD president Naveen Patnaik said he w

CCEA clears ₹3,907-cr railway expansion projects in Odisha, Jharkhand

The CCEA has approved two railway expansion projects worth Rs 3,907 crore in Odisha and Jharkhand to enhance line capacity, ease congestion and improve freight movement

Odisha clears new farm market law to widen buyer access for farmers

Odisha has approved a new farm marketing law to create a unified statewide market, expand buyer access, promote digital trading and improve price realisation for farmers