Bhubaneswar: The National Highways Authority of India has launched the ‘Arogya Van’ programme, an initiative aimed at planting medicinal trees along vacant stretches of national highways to enhance ecological sustainability and promote traditional healthcare awareness. In the first phase, more than 67,000 medicinal trees will be planted across 17 identified land parcels spanning approximately 62.8…
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has signed an agreement with Nexband Renewables to establish a 150-tonne-per-day compressed biogas (CBG) plant aimed at producing automobile-grade bio-CNG from vegetable waste. The proposed facility will be located in the Khuntabandha area of Begunia and will also generate solid and liquid organic fertilizers, providing an additional boost to…
Bhubaneswar: State-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has paid one of its largest-ever financial penalties—₹4,364 crore—for illegal and excess mineral production, raising serious concerns over regulatory compliance in Odisha’s mining sector. The penalties arise from violations of key environmental and forest laws, including the Environment Protection Act and the Forest Conservation Act, as well as breaches…
Bhubaneswar: A social media post by Manas Muduli on X has gone viral, bringing widespread attention to the eco-conscious initiatives at Nandankanan Zoological Park. The post, which has garnered over 110,000 views, showcases simple yet effective measures adopted by the zoo to curb plastic waste and promote environmental responsibility among visitors. Calling it “one of…
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are set for a major transition in household energy use, as authorities push for widespread adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) under the City Gas Distribution network. Ambitious Household Coverage In Bhubaneswar, the target is to provide 1.25 lakh household connections, with around 19,000 homes already connected. Meanwhile, Cuttack has made…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has issued comprehensive guidelines to safeguard outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses during the summer season, enforcing restrictions from April 1 to June 15, 2026. Ban on Work During Peak Heat Hours As part of the measures, outdoor work has been prohibited between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, the period identified…
Bhubaneswar: In a move to address the growing issue of coconut waste in public spaces, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a toll-free helpline number (1929) for residents to report discarded coconut shells across the city. The initiative aims to ensure quick collection and scientific processing of coconut waste dumped in markets, temples and…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has imposed a ban on the use of coal and coal briquettes in urban areas as part of its heatwave management strategy, aiming to reduce pollution levels and curb rising temperatures. The move, however, has triggered concern among roadside hotel owners and small food vendors, many of whom rely on…
Bhubaneswar: A powerful Nor’wester tornado caused widespread destruction in Mayurbhanj district on Sunday, leaving a trail of damage, injuries and disruption in several areas. According to initial reports, the worst-affected location was Kia village in Karanjia, where strong winds triggered panic among residents and blew off roofs of numerous mud and thatched houses. Heavy Damage…
Bhubaneswar: Kusunpur village in Kendrapada district of Odisha is set to be transformed into the state’s first smart village under an ambitious initiative led by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), functioning under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The project aims to convert the village—home to around 130 families and a population…