Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and child-centric urban environment, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and UNICEF Odisha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop child-friendly public spaces across the city. Under the initiative, 16 locations in different parts of Bhubaneswar will be transformed into safer, greener, and more…
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…
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…
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…
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, authorities in the national capital have implemented an unconventional yet effective strategy to reduce the risk of bird strikes during aerial rehearsals and the main flypast on January 26. The Indian Air Force (IAF), in coordination with the Delhi Forest Department, is distributing more than 1,270 kilograms of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a complete transition of the Ama Bus service from diesel-powered vehicles to a fully electric fleet, marking a significant step towards clean and sustainable urban mobility in the state. Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said all existing diesel buses will be phased out in a planned…
Bhubaneswar: The sacred preparations for Rath Yatra 2026 formally commenced on Monday with the dispatch of the first consignment of holy wood for the construction of the Lord Jagannath chariots from the Daspalla forest range in Odisha’s Nayagarh district. The wood logs were transported from the Takra forest section to Puri, marking a crucial traditional…
Bhubaneswar: Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on Sunday marked 54 years of statehood, commemorating their transition from Union Territories to full-fledged states in 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act. The day was observed with official messages, cultural programmes and reflections on the region’s journey and challenges. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh called for unity…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced plans for a comprehensive redevelopment of the Mahima Temple at Joranda, the principal seat of Mahima Dharma, aimed at enhancing its spiritual, cultural and tourism significance. As part of the proposed makeover, a new grand temple will be constructed over the existing Shunya Mandir, while preserving the core philosophical…
Koraput district, long recognised for its coffee plantations, is fast emerging as a notable centre for high-quality pepper cultivation, with the spice witnessing rising demand in both national and international markets. Pepper is currently grown across nearly 1,550 hectares in the district, where the unique agro-climatic conditions—marked by moderate temperatures, adequate rainfall, and rich soil—have…