Bhubaneswar: Aparajita Sarangi has called on the Odisha government to revisit its recent decision on metro rail projects, terming the initiative crucial for the city’s future mobility needs. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Sarangi made a “humble request” to reconsider the state cabinet’s decision taken on April 4 regarding the…
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: The Odisha government has moved to reassure citizens about the uninterrupted availability of essential fuels, including LPG, petrol, and diesel, amid circulating rumors of shortages. The state’s Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department clarified that there is no cause for concern, as supply chains remain stable and adequately stocked. In a significant relief measure,…
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: The Government of India has approved an expanded version of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore over 10 years starting FY 2026–27, aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity across underserved areas. Under the revised scheme, the government plans to develop 100 new airports from unserved airstrips,…
Bhubaneswar: Iran has announced a dramatic escalation in its maritime posture, declaring that select vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be charged a steep $2 million transit fee (approximately ₹18.7 crore). The move, reportedly already implemented, was confirmed by Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the country’s parliamentary national security committee, in…
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to modernise its logistics network, India Post is set to launch a premium express service, ‘24 Speed Post’, offering guaranteed next-day delivery for urgent consignments. The service will be officially launched on March 17, 2026, in New Delhi by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, along with Minister of State…
Bhubaneswar: The annual FASTag pass issued by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will become slightly more expensive starting April 1, following a revision in the annual fee. According to NHAI, the cost of the FASTag annual pass will increase from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075. The revised rate will come into effect from the beginning…
Bhubaneswar: State governments across India have stepped up enforcement measures to curb black marketing and hoarding of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with authorities carrying out continuous raids and surprise inspections at LPG distributorships and retail outlets. According to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, state administrations are playing a…
Bhubaneswar: Two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers operated by the Shipping Corporation of India have successfully crossed the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz and are now heading towards India, officials said on Sunday. The vessels — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — navigated the narrow sea lane amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region following…