Page 8 - Odisha

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

Another Nepalese student found dead in hostel room on KIIT campus in Odisha

A 20-year-old Nepalese student of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha's Bhubaneswar was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her hostel room on Thursday, police said. The incident comes barely two and a half months following the suicide of Prakriti Lamsal, another Nepalese student of the same institute on February 16, 2025. The body of the B Tech student was recovered from room number 111 of the ladies' hostel of the institute, a senior officer said. She was a student of Computer Science and pursuing her B.Tech, he said, adding that her identity is yet to be ascertained. Yes, the body of a girl from Nepal has been recovered. It seems that she has committed suicide at the ladies' hostel of KIIT, Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh told PTI. There was no comment from the KIIT authorities on the death of the Nepalese student.

Odisha backs national target to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2026: Minister

The launch was held at the Directorate of Public Health as part of the celebrations for World Immunisation Week 2025

'Where will I go?' Odisha woman faces deportation to Pak after 35 years

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, families with cross-border roots fear separation

OJEE Admit Card 2025 released today at ojee.nic.in, here's how to download

OJEE Admit Card 2025 has been released today, April 25, 2025. Here are the steps to check and download the hall ticket

Two Navy officers among 3 held for extorting money from Agniveer aspirants

Odisha Police arrested three persons including two serving Navy personnel in Khurda district, on the charge of extorting money from Agniveer aspirants during a recruitment drive in November 2024, an officer said on Friday. The arrested persons were identified as Satyam Chahar, currently working at INS Kesari, Andaman and Nicobar, Vinay Kumar Ray, presently posted at INS Chilika and retired Navy official Bhoosan, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, the officer said. The trio were arrested based on a complaint lodged by Lieutenant Commander Adwitiya Singh, a training correspondence officer at INS Chilka, at Balugaon police station on April 19. The case was registered under charges of cheating and extortion. Khurda SP Sagarika Nath said that the arrested trio was accused of extorting a huge amount of money from Agniveer aspirants by promising them assistance in police verification, physical examination, and securing a job. "We have arrested three people and in search of two others allegedly

Odisha CM announces ₹20 lakh, job for wife of tourist killed in J-K attack

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced Rs 20 lakh financial assistance for the family of Prashant Satpathy, who was killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Majhi made the announcement after paying floral tributes to the mortal remains of Satpathy at his house in Ishani village in the Remuna block of Balasore district. He also announced that the state government would provide a job for Satpathy's wife Priya Darshani Achariya, and take care of the education of their nine-year-old son Tanuj. "I strongly condemn the incident, and the state government solidly stands with the family of Prashant Satpathy at this hour of crisis. The state will provide financial assistance of Rs 20 lakhs, a job for his wife and take care of his son's education," the CM told reporters. Majhi also expressed concern over the health of Priya Darshani, who fainted while talking to him.

Patnaik elected BJD chief for 9th time, urges workers to counter 'BJP lies'

Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who was chosen as the BJD president for the ninth time in a row, on Saturday called upon party workers to expose the alleged false narrative of the ruling BJP. BJD's organisational election returning officer PK Deb announced Patnaik as the party president at the state council meeting held at its state headquarters, Sankha Bhawan. Addressing party leaders and workers after being named as the BJD president, Patnaik said, "We conceded defeat in the last assembly election by a narrow margin, even though our party got more votes. This is because we couldn't effectively counter the false narrative. Creating a false narrative is the main strategy against the BJD. We should be aggressive in exposing this, especially on social media." The leader of opposition in the Odisha assembly also said, "We need to improve our social media presence. Technology should be used to tell the truth and the facts, and without technology, we cannot reach out to ...

Gadkari unveils projects worth ₹4K cr, says Odisha to get US-like highways

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said Odisha will soon get America-like highways. Unveiling 19 national highway projects worth Rs 4,137 crore in the state, he said road connectivity will boost tourism in the state. "The Centre will provide world-class infrastructure to Odisha, and the people here will soon get America-like highways. The state has ports, minerals and forests. Road connectivity will boost its tourism potential," he said. Noting that the Centre has undertaken highway projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in the state, Gadkari said projects worth Rs 60,000 crore have already been completed. Works for projects worth Rs 60,000 crore are underway, while projects worth Rs 75,000 crore are in the pipeline, he said. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy CMs Pravati Parida and KV Singh Deo, MPs, MLAs and ministers were present at the programme at Baramunda Maidan in Bhubaneswar. Referring to the demand made by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Gad

Nitin Gadkari to unveil highway projects worth Rs 4,000 cr in Odisha today

Union minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and lay the foundation of highway projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in Odisha on Thursday, an official release said. The Union minister for road transport and highways was welcomed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal upon his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here. He began his day-long tour of the eastern state by attending the Dr Harekrushna Mahatab Memorial Lecture at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, commemorating the birth anniversary of the former chief minister. Gadkari will deliver a memorial lecture on 'Infrastructure Development and Odisha' and attend a national conference on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatab. The Union minister will visit the World Skill Centre here in the afternoon, the release said. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 19 national highway projects worth Rs 4,000 crore during a public meeting at Baramunda Maidan here around

Vedanta fined Rs 71 crore for illegal fly ash disposal in Odisha

Vedanta group firm Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) has said that State Pollution Control Board, Odisha, has asked it to deposit a compensation of Rs 71.1 crore for unauthorised disposal of fly ash. Fly ash is a fine, powdery waste material created when coal is burned in power plants. "The issue pertains to allegation for unauthorised disposal of fly ash. The Member Secretary requested the company to deposit the environmental compensation of Rs 71,16,53,320," Vedanta has said in a filing to BSE. It said it intends to take legal recourse in the present matter before the appropriate forum. "The company is hopeful of a favorable outcome thereof and does not expect the said Order to have any material financial impact on the company," the filing said. Vedanta Ltd, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Ltd, is one of the world's leading natural resources companies spanning across India, South Africa, Namibia, Liberia, UAE, Korea, Taiwan and Japan with significant operations in oil and gas, zinc, le

Odisha govt to install over 21K tubewells to tackle water crisis: Minister

The Odisha government has decided to install 21,300 new tube wells across the state to tackle the water crisis during summer, Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said. The decision is part of a broader strategy to ensure reliable access to water for all, he said. The state already has 5.2 lakh tube wells, and the new ones will be installed in places that face a crisis, he added. "No community will be left without drinking water access," Naik said on Friday. He said drinking water-related complaints will be resolved within seven days. Naik, who is also the panchayati raj minister, said the government has decided to allot 1.60 lakh new houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana this year. Priority will be given to differently-abled individuals, destitutes, and victims of natural calamities like floods and cyclones, he said. The work orders for the construction of some houses have already been issued, while the remaining are in process, he said.