Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has cleared a major road infrastructure project to upgrade one of the capital city’s busiest traffic corridors, approving a ₹579-crore turnkey contract for the transformation of the Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan route into a high-capacity urban mobility corridor. The contract has been awarded to M/s Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd., which submitted…

Bhubaneswar: Seeking to position Odisha as a major hub for sustainable aquaculture and seafood exports, the State Cabinet has approved a dedicated regulatory framework for farming of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and other brackish water species in inland saline areas. The policy creates a formal system to regulate aquaculture activities beyond the jurisdiction of…

Bhubaneswar: To support Odisha’s expanding energy needs and strengthen long-term transmission capacity, the State Cabinet has approved a proposal allowing the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (OPTCL) to obtain government land at concessional rates for the development of 765 kV grid substations across the state. The decision marks an important policy expansion, as existing government…

Bhubaneswar: Emphasising faster, smarter and more accountable governance, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday asked all departments to adopt a stronger data-driven approach, increase the use of technology and ensure closer coordination to accelerate implementation of development programmes across the state. Chairing a secretaries-level review meeting attended by senior bureaucrats, including Development Commissioner and…

Bhubaneswar: Marking a major policy intervention in the education sector, the Odisha Cabinet has approved the ‘Gyanodaya–Shiksharu Samruddhi’ scheme to provide free education from school to postgraduate level and expand access to learning for lakhs of students across the state. The scheme fulfils the State Government’s commitment of extending free education from KG to PG…

Bhubaneswar: Facing criticism over errors detected in newly introduced school textbooks, the Odisha Government on Wednesday assured that revised and completely error-free books for students of Classes I to VIII will be supplied at the earliest, while interim corrective measures will be adopted to ensure uninterrupted classroom learning. Addressing the media, School & Mass Education…

Bhubaneswar: Stepping up its crackdown on narcotics and organised drug networks, Odisha Police on Wednesday unveiled a strengthened anti-drug strategy that includes setting up a dedicated Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), operationalising four special NDPS courts and launching focused action against major drug traffickers across the state. The announcements were made by Director General of…

Bhubaneswar: With monsoon activity intensifying across Odisha and concerns rising over possible urban flooding and waterlogging, the State Government has directed all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to remain on alert and strengthen preparedness measures to ensure uninterrupted civic services and public safety. Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mohapatra on Tuesday instructed municipal…

Bhubaneswar: Reiterating the Odisha Government’s focus on strengthening child protection and ensuring a responsive support system for vulnerable children, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday inaugurated a five-day Orientation Training Programme for newly appointed Chairpersons and Members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in the state. Addressing the inaugural session, Parida said children are the…