Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched two major rural development initiatives — the Model Village Mission and the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana — aimed at transforming villages through improved infrastructure, better public services, and enhanced livelihood opportunities. The initiatives seek to bridge the rural-urban development gap by ensuring the availability of urban-level amenities and integrated…
Bhubaneswar: Maruti Suzuki India Limited is set to launch India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle capable of running entirely on 100 percent ethanol (E100) on June 5, marking a significant step in the country’s clean mobility and alternative fuel transition. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said the…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has made it mandatory for all state government departments to purchase only electric vehicles (EVs) from June 1, in a major push toward clean mobility, fuel conservation, and sustainable transportation. Under the new directive, all government offices and departments will be required to procure only electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers for official…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich Jagannath tradition is set to reach a wider national and global audience through an ambitious animated feature film titled Mahaprabhu Jagannath, which will release across more than 300 screens in India. The multilingual film, scheduled for release in Hindi, Odia, and Telugu, will mark the launch of the proposed “Sanatan Universe” —…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded its highest-ever electricity demand as the ongoing severe heatwave pushed power consumption across the state to an unprecedented 6,739 megawatts (MW), surpassing last year’s peak demand of 6,447 MW. The sharp rise in electricity usage has been primarily driven by increased cooling requirements during extreme summer temperatures affecting large parts of…
Bhubaneswar: Petrol and diesel prices have been increased once again across India, marking the fourth fuel price hike in the last two weeks as state-run oil marketing companies continue revising rates amid rising global crude oil prices and mounting financial pressure. With the latest revision, petrol prices have gone up by ₹2.61 per litre, while…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified efforts to promote rural and experiential tourism through a large-scale curated homestay initiative aimed at generating local livelihoods and offering tourists authentic cultural immersion experiences across the state. Under the Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme-2025, the Tourism Department has identified 61 gram panchayats across 19 districts for the development of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forest department has launched caravan tourism facilities at several prominent eco-tourism destinations across the state in a move aimed at promoting sustainable travel while preserving ecological balance. Under the initiative, caravan tourism will be introduced at seven eco-tourism sites, including the Similipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park, two of the state’s…
Bhubaneswar: Prices of essential commodities may rise further in the coming days, raising concerns for middle-class and lower middle-class households already struggling with inflationary pressure. According to traders’ associations, the prices of daily-use items such as potatoes, sugar, edible oil, and pulses could increase by up to ₹10 per kilogram due to rising supply and…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) has cancelled the leave of all electricity department employees across the state in view of the sharp rise in power demand during the ongoing heat wave conditions. According to official instructions issued by OPTCL, all previously sanctioned leave has been withdrawn with immediate effect, except maternity leave…