Bhubaneswar Imposes Restrictions at PMG Square Ahead of Republic Day Parade

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar authorities have imposed strict traffic and safety restrictions around PMG Square and Mahatma Gandhi Marg in view of the state-level Republic Day parade and its rehearsal sessions. The measures are aimed at ensuring smooth conduct of events and maintaining public safety. According to the Commissionerate Police, traffic restrictions will be in force on…

Read More

Odisha Sets Target of 90% Irrigation Coverage by 2036

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set an ambitious target to bring more than 90 per cent of the state’s cultivable land under irrigation by 2036, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday. The move is aimed at strengthening agriculture, improving farmers’ incomes, and driving long-term economic growth. As part of the plan, the state…

Read More

Bhubaneswar Launches Massive Plantation Drive as AQI Remains in ‘Poor’ Category

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar continues to face deteriorating air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently remaining in the ‘poor’ category, raising concerns over public health and environmental sustainability. In response, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a large-scale afforestation initiative aimed at improving the city’s air quality and green cover. Under the plan, BMC…

Read More

Odisha Launches Special Enrolment Drive to Strengthen Civil Defence Force

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched a special enrolment drive to significantly increase the number of civil defence volunteers across the state, following concerns over a sharp decline in active personnel. The initiative aims to raise the strength of the force to 10,000 volunteers by March, officials said. At present, Odisha has only about 1,071…

Read More

Bhubaneswar Plans Smart Traffic Signal Overhaul to Improve Urban Mobility

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) has announced a comprehensive upgrade of the city’s traffic signal infrastructure aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing congestion, and enhancing road safety. Under the plan, 50 existing adaptive traffic signals will be modernised, while 25 new adaptive signals will be installed at key junctions across the city. In addition,…

Read More

Farmers Call Odisha Bandh on January 28 Over Paddy Procurement and Pollution Fines

Bhubaneswar: The Nav Nirman Krishan Sangathan has announced a statewide bandh in Odisha on January 28 to protest alleged irregularities in paddy procurement and mandi operations, along with what it describes as heavy and unreasonable fines imposed on farmers in the name of pollution certificates. According to statements and announcements circulating online, the farmers’ organisation…

Read More

Odisha to Host First Global Meet of Odia-Origin Doctors in Puri

Bhubaneswar: Puri is set to host the first-ever global meeting of doctors of Odia origin from January 24 to 26, marking a significant milestone for the state’s medical fraternity. The three-day international conference, titled UDAAN 1.0, is being organised by the Odia Health Association–Global and will bring together medical professionals from India and across the…

Read More

Government Notifies 33 Questions for Houselisting and Housing Census 2027

Bhubaneswar: The Union government on Thursday notified 33 questions for the upcoming Houselisting and Housing Census, scheduled to be conducted from April 1 to September 30, 2026. The exercise will form a key preparatory phase of the next national Census and aims to create a comprehensive database on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets across…

Read More

India Observes Parakram Diwas to Commemorate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 129th Birth Anniversary

Bhubaneswar: India on Thursday observed Parakram Diwas to mark the 129th birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, remembering his pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence and his leadership of the Indian National Army (INA) against British colonial rule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Netaji, highlighting several initiatives undertaken…

Read More

Supreme Court Flags Misuse of POCSO Act, Suggests ‘Romeo-Juliet’ Clause for Consensual Teen Relationships

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court of India has urged the Union government to consider introducing a “Romeo–Juliet” clause in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to prevent the harsh criminalisation of consensual adolescent relationships. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that while the POCSO Act was enacted to…

Read More