Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced a new category of high-end liquor outlets—‘Super Premium FL OFF shops’—as part of its latest excise policy, aiming to modernize retail and cater to premium consumers. The outlets will be set up in six major cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Puri. According to the policy, these…
Bhubaneswar: The proposed world-class cruise terminal project in Odisha’s coastal city of Puri has gained momentum, with Chief Engineer of Paradip Port Authority, Himanshu Sekhar Rout, conducting a detailed site inspection on Saturday. The ambitious ₹1,000 crore project, announced earlier this year, will be developed at Sipasarubali and includes plans for a sprawling 1,500-acre modern…
Bhubaneswar: In a major advancement for India’s nuclear energy programme, the indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has successfully achieved criticality, marking a significant breakthrough in Stage-2 of India’s three-stage nuclear power strategy. The 500 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor represents a crucial technological leap. It operates using mixed oxide (MOX) fuel—a combination…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant push to infrastructure development in western Odisha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has approved ₹447.11 crore for the upgradation of the Kurumpuri–Raj Khariar highway stretch. The 103.52 km-long project, part of National Highway 353 and National Highway 59, is expected to transform connectivity across Nuapada and Balangir…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has delivered an outstanding performance at the national-level IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26, emerging as the overall champion by securing a total of 57 medals, including 15 golds. The successful participants were felicitated on Thursday at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida during a special ceremony. Congratulating the winners, Odisha’s Skill Development and Technical…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s iconic Bomkai handloom, a centuries-old weaving tradition from Ganjam district, is facing a severe crisis, with artisans warning that the craft could be on the brink of extinction. Once a thriving cottage industry supporting nearly 60 families, Bomkai weaving in parts of the district has now reportedly dwindled to just one surviving family,…
Bhubaneswar: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday informed the Rajya Sabha that an outlay of ₹1,938 crore has been allocated for the Khurda Road–Balangir railway line project in the 2025–26 financial year. Responding to a query by Subhasish Khuntia, the minister said the total project cost has risen to ₹5,089 crore, out of which ₹4,311…
Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at reducing academic stress and improving student well-being, the Government of Odisha has directed all higher educational institutions to strengthen their psychological support systems. The Department of Higher Education has asked universities and colleges to implement the guidelines of the Manodarpan initiative, in line with the advisory issued by the…
Bhubaneswar: Two years after the construction of the permanent building for Biswanath Pandit Central Library began, the project remains incomplete, triggering dissatisfaction among students and regular readers. Project Delays and Shifting Timeline The library, considered the largest in Cuttack, was originally located in Khannagar. The building was demolished in 2021 by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation…
Bhubaneswar/Mumbai: The Government of Odisha has initiated a comprehensive revision of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Bhubaneswar Town Centre District (BTCD), aiming to enhance urban infrastructure and improve connectivity around the city’s railway station. Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra informed the Assembly that the redesign is necessitated by ongoing…