Page 10 - Odisha

Vedanta Aluminium partners with PwC India for sustainability initiatives

Vedanta Aluminium on Thursday announced the expansion of its partnership with PwC India to scale up sustainability initiatives across its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Initially centred on biodiversity projects around Vedanta's Jharsuguda smelter, the partnership will now extend across all its operational regions and will also focus on decarbonisation, water positivity, and biodiversity conservation, marking a major step in integrating sustainability throughout the company's value chain, the company said in a statement. "This collaboration with PwC exemplifies our unwavering dedication to driving sustainable growth and championing environmental stewardship. Anchored in robust ESG principles, we are actively working towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and supporting India's net zero vision for 2070," Vedanta Aluminium Chief Executive Officer Rajiv Kumar said. Kumar further noted that "by addressing critical ecological challenges, improving operational efficiencies, and placing

Choice Int'l arm secures Rs 63.47 cr govt projects in Maharashtra, Odisha

Choice Consultancy Services, an arm of Choice International, on Thursday said it has secured project management contracts worth Rs 63.47 crore across Maharashtra and Odisha. The company has been awarded a Rs 52.80 crore work order from the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) under the World Bank-backed MahaSTRIDE programme to set up District Strategic Units in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, the company said in a statement. In Odisha, the firm emerged as the top-ranked bidder for a Rs 10.67 crore project floated by the State Urban Development Agency to provide engineering consultancy in 58 urban local bodies, it added. "These project wins further validate our strategic direction and reinforce our positioning as a trusted execution partner in high-value public sector initiatives," Choice International's CEO and Executive Director, Arun Poddar, said. Over the past few weeks, Choice Consultancy Services has secured various government transformation projects worth ov

Vedanta exploring using biodiesel in CV fleet in Odisha's Jharsuguda plant

On the World Environment Day, Indian mining and metals firm Vedanta Ltd said on Thursday that it is exploring using biodiesel in the commercial vehicle fleet at its Jharsuguda township in Odisha. The company, Vedanta Aluminium, said in a statement that it has pledged to decarbonize 100 per cent of its light motor vehicle fleet by 2030. Towards this effort, the company is exploring the use of biodiesel in its commercial vehicle fleet after conducting successful pilot runs to evaluate its feasibility. Further, it has begun using biomass briquettes made from agricultural residue for co-firing applications at its Lanjigarh alumina refinery in Odisha and BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh. At Lanjigarh refinery unit in Odisha's Kalahandi district, 20 tonnes of biomass are co-fired daily, cutting down over 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, it said. Similarly, the company has introduced a 10-ton electric forklift at its aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and now operates a large

No one will remain landless under new land scheme, vows Odisha CM

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi vows no one will remain landless in the state. The government plans reforms to modernise revenue administration and ensure land rights for all citizens

Odisha Police prepares massive security for Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra

Odisha Police has prepared massive security arrangements for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath later this month, an official said on Tuesday. Director General of Police Y B Khurania on Monday held a high-level meeting with top police officers including those looking after intelligence, law and order, rail and coastal security. He ordered them to give special attention to incidents like possible stampede situation, drive against criminals and devotees amenities. The DGP also stressed on the deployment of K9 squad or dog squad, the official said. Several Union ministers and many VVIPs are likely to visit Puri during the Rath Yatra as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited many Union ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to visit Puri during the Rath Yatra. Last year President Droupadi Murmu had witnessed the Rath Yatra festival in Puri. The DGP also directed to ensure smooth traffic movement, barricade arrangements, and quick resolution of various problems i

Raining cash: Engineer throws bundles from window during raid, ₹2 cr seized

The anti-corruption wing of the Odisha Police carried out raids at multiple locations linked to the government chief engineer in Bhubaneswar

NHRC asks DGP Odisha for detailed report in Balangir journo attack case

The NHRC issued a formal notice to the DGP Odisha in the case where a TV journalist was attacked in Balangir district

CBI arrests ED Deputy Director Chintan Raghuvanshi in ₹20 lakh bribery case | Bhubaneswar

CBI has arrested Chintan Raghuvanshi, a deputy director of the Enforcement Directorate in Odisha, for allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe from a mining businessman. Here's what we know.

Deep depression over Bay of Bengal to trigger heavy rain in Odisha: IMD

The well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, which intensified into a deep depression on Thursday, is likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In its bulletin, the IMD stated that the depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts moved nearly northwards with a speed of 20 kmph during the past 3 hours and intensified into a deep depression about 60 km southeast of Sagar Island, 110 km east-southeast of Digha and 260 km east of Balasore. It is likely to continue to move northwards and cross West BengalBangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by afternoon, the weather office said. In response to the developing weather system, the IMD issued Orange Warning (be prepared to take action) in the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj and Jagatsinghpur. The weathe

CHSE Odisha instant exam 2025: Online form submission begins today

CHSE Odisha has begun the application form submission process for the CHSE instant exam 2025 today, May 28, on the official website

Heavy rains lash Odisha, more downpour expected till May 30, says IMD

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha under the influence of a well marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, and more downpour is forecast in the state till May 30, the IMD said on Wednesday. It issued an Orange' alert (be prepared to take action) in five districts Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Koraput and Rayagada where lightning and thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely during the period. The low-pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast became well marked over the same region at 0530 hrs IST of today. It is likely to move slowly northwards and concentrate into a depression during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. Under the influence of the weather system, Odisha will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall till May 30, it said. The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea between May 29 and June 1. Rainfall is likely in all Odisha districts, said ...

Sourav Ganguly's brother, sister-in-law rescued after boat capsizes in Puri

The incident occurred near the lighthouse opposite Hotel Sonar Bangla at Puri beach, highlighting concerns over safety and operator oversight

Odisha aims to be India's growth engine over next 25 years: CM Majhi

Asserting that Odisha will be the growth engine in the country's development journey over the next 25 years, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said that the state aspires to become a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047. Majhi said this while speaking at the NIITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. "I assure you Sir (PM), Odisha will be the growth engine in the country's development journey over the next twenty-five years," Majhi was quoted saying in a press release issued by the chief minister's office here. Noting that India's economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies with a growth rate of 6.5 per cent in 2024-25, Majhi said: "During the same period with the double engine push, the state has grown at 7.2 per cent. I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister for visiting Odisha five times in the last 11 months which shows his commitment to the development of Odisha." While thanking the Centre for ...

Tata Steel completes 5MT Kalinganagar expansion; capacity crosses 26MT

Tata Steel on Thursday announced the completion of the phase II expansion project at Kalinganagar in Odisha, taking its overall capacity to 26.1 million tonnes (MT) in the country. With the completion of the 5 million tonne expansion project undertaken at an investment of Rs 27,000 crore, the capacity of Kalinganagar plant stands at 8 MT from 3 MT earlier, the steelmaker said in a statement. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the expanded Tata Steel Kalinganagar (TSK) plant on Thursday. T. V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Steel, said: "This expansion reflects our deep belief in Odisha's potential and our long-term commitment to this State. Kalinganagar is more than a manufacturing site for us. It symbolises what is possible when communities, government, and industry work together." Tata Steel aims to target supply advanced high-strength steels for sectors like automotive, infrastructure, power, shipbuilding, and defence with the expansion. Odisha has emerged as

Odisha govt sets 15-day deadline for fire safety inspection in hospitals

The Odisha government has asked officials to complete the fire safety inspection of government-run healthcare facilities in their respective areas in 15 days in the wake of fire incidents in some government and private hospitals during the past few months. Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S issued the instructions to fire officers, electrical inspectors, engineers of the roads and building department, and chief medical and public health officers during a meeting held last evening, a health department official said on Tuesday. During the meeting, Aswathy directed the officials to prioritise operation theatres (OTs), intensive care units (ICUs), special newborn care units (SNCUs), and heavy power load installations such as CT scan or MRI machines which are more prone to electrical incidents. She also directed to ensure proper and safe connections of the generators with the electrical wiring system in the buildings to prevent any possible short circuits. In the meeting it w

Civil aviation ministry gives nod for new airports for Rajasthan, Odisha

The civil aviation ministry on Monday granted in-principle approval for greenfield airports in Rajasthan's Kota and Puri in Odisha. Kota is the parliamentary constituency of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. "His continued engagement with the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been one of the driving forces to expediting this approval. "The proposed airport will not only serve Kota city, known as a major educational and industrial hub, but will also cater to the growing population and economic activity in the Hadoti region," the ministry said in a release. According to the ministry, the decision to establish an airport in Puri will provide a major boost to religious tourism, regional development and the overall connectivity in the region. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has granted the in-principle approval for the establishment of greenfield airports in Kota and Puri, the release said. India is one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets and has more than 150 operat

Odisha Minister objects to naming Digha Temple as 'Jagannath Dham'

Recently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the newly constructed Shri Jagannath Temple in Digha

Uproar in Odisha as West Bengal govt calls Digha temple 'Jagannath Dham'

Odisha and West Bengal locked in fierce cultural clash as Bengal's naming of Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham' sparks religious and political controversy

Deeply saddened: New Delhi on death of Nepalese student at Odisha's KIIT

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said it is "deeply saddened" over the death of a Nepalese student of the KIIT University in Bhubaneswar. The ministry said it has been in constant touch with the Odisha government since it knew about the "tragic incident". The body of the 18-year-old B. Tech computer science student from Nepal was recovered from her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) on Thursday evening, police said. The state government has extended full support to the family of the deceased, and a thorough enquiry is currently being conducted by the Odisha police, it said. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of a Nepali student of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar," the MEA said. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time," it added in a statement. This is the second such case at the institute this year. Prakriti Lamsal, another Nepalese student, died by suicide on February 16.

Odisha to set up greenfield airport at Paradip, heliports in 14 districts

In a bid to strengthen aviation infrastructure in the state, the Odisha government has decided to establish a Greenfield airport at the port town of Paradip, expedite the development of the Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri and construct heliports in 14 districts. These decisions were taken during an Aviation and Network Construction Management' meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi here on Thursday. In addition to discussions on expediting the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport (SJIA) in Puri and the upgrade of Rourkela Airport, the meeting resolved to proceed with the establishment of a Greenfield airport at Paradip, according to an official release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The meeting also focused on the development of key regional airports across the state, including those at Jeypore, Dand Bose, Rangeilunda, Gautama, Satibhata, Raisuan, Tushara, Jamadarpali, Malkangiri, Amarda Road, and Utkela, aiming to enhance regional