Berhampur University Result 2025 Released at buodisha.edu.in
Berhampur University Result 2025: Berhampur University has released the 2025 results for BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, MA, MSc, and MCom semester exams on February 13, 2025. Students can check their Berhampur University results on the buodisha.edu.in @buodisha.edu.in by accessing the designated results link.
Record 6.41 lakh Olive Ridleys lay eggs at Odisha's Rushikulya rookery this year
BHUBANESWAR: A staggering 6.41 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have laid eggs at Rushikulya rookery so far in the current nesting season setting a record for the mass breeding site along Ganjam coast. PCCF Wildlife Prem Kumar Jha said Rushikulya had never seen such large congregation of the endangered species, at least in the last decade. The previous highest nesting of 6.37 lakh Olive Ridleys had been recorded in 2022-23 season while there was no mass nesting at the site in 2023-24. Unlike Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, the worlds largest rookery for the Olive Ridleys, arribada of the sea turtles has not been regular at Rushikulya. As turtles are continuing to turn up, we expect the congregation to go beyond 7 lakh. If this happens, it will set another new record, Jha told TNIE. As per the forest department data, Olive Ridleys have skipped mass nesting at Rushikulya at least four times - in 2015-16, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2023-24- over the past decade. They dont turn up for nesting if the environment is not conducive to lay eggs. Despite protection measures, no mass nesting took place at the site last year primarily due to erosion and frequent rainfall activity in February, said Berhampur divisional forest officer (DFO) Sunny Khokhar. To facilitate smooth nesting this season, fencing has been done over a 5 km stretch along the coast while joint sea patrolling has also been intensified. As the turtles get disoriented due to lights, the ports and industrial establishments have been asked to dim the string lights of their facilities near the nesting sites till the hatchlings move out to the sea. Forest officials said more than 6.5 crore eggs are estimated to have been laid by now. Each turtle lay up to 100-120 eggs. The hatchlings will emerge from the eggs after 45-60 days towards April-May. They said the congregation of Olive Ridleys at Gahirmatha is also expected to commence soon as sporadic nesting has already started at the site. Gahirmatha usually witnesses arribada a fortnight after Rushikulya. Meanwhile, wildlife wing in association with Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, has launched a study on behaviour and movement of the Olive Ridleys. As part of the collaboration, satellite transmitters will be fitted on about 30 sea turtles across breeding sites, especially Rushikulya, to reasearch their movement and behaviour.
Footwears, not farmers, in queue as cash shortage plagues Aska cooperative bank in Odisha
BERHAMPUR: In front of Aska Central Co-operative Bank (ACCB)s Sorada branch in Ganjam district, the long queue does only have footwears, not the farmers wearing them. Due to inadequate cash supply at ACCB in Sorada, farmers are facing difficulties in withdrawing their payment towards sale of paddy. They have to stand in long lines from early hours, waiting for their turn to withdraw payments. However, to save themselves from the scorching sun, the farmers have started placing their footwear in the queue outside the bank while they take shelter nearby since the past three days. The ACCB in Soroda caters to over 16 co-operative societies in the block. Farmers in the area have already sold around 2.5 lakh quintal of paddy and payment has been credited to their accounts. However, they are facing issues to withdraw their funds immediately due to shortage of cash at the bank. After receiving report about this, the district administration issued directions to solve the issue on a war footing. The district administration is already geared up to achieve its paddy procurement target by the end of February. While the initial target for procurement was set at 44.48 lakh quintal, it was increased to 59.73 lakh quintal as the yield exceeded expectations. This year, over 1.44 lakh farmers registered to sell their paddy and so far, 1.33 lakh farmers have already sold their paddy. Ganjam collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said around `1,087 crore has already been disbursed to the accounts of the farmers. While farmers with nationalised bank accounts have received their payments, those with cooperative bank accounts, who sold their paddy through cooperative societies, are facing long delays due to an insufficient cash supply at the bank.
Four migrant workers from Odisha stranded in Oman return home
Four migrant workers from Ganjam district, Odisha, returned home safely on Friday, February 21, after being stranded in Oman without receiving their salaries. The workers, who had been working as plumbers in Oman, arrived in Mumbai on an Air India Express flight from Muscat at 4 AM on Thursday, February 20. They then reached Berhampur Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Silk City storm water drainage in bad shape
Berhampur: Storm water management continues to be a major issue in the Silk City here as the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) authorities are yet to find out a permanent solution to waterlogging that grips almost every ward during monsoon. Last year, the civic bodys Sanitation department directed agencies responsible for desilting the drains to act []
Pact inked for smart traffic management system in Odisha's Sambalpur
SAMBALPUR: The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the district police on Tuesday evening signed an agreement with VL Access India for implementation of a unified command and control platform-based city surveillance, integrated traffic management and public address system. Valued at Rs 4.96 crore, the project envisages deployment of 207 AI-powered cameras across 52 strategic locations within the city in two phases. Advanced bullet, facial recognition, PTZ and state-of-the-art automatic licence plate recognition (ALPR) cameras will play a pivotal role in enhancing surveillance and security measures. Additionally, the project includes the installation of solar-powered automatic traffic signalling systems at six key intersections to streamline vehicular flow, monitor violations and enable automatic e-challan generation. Upon successful implementation of the project, Sambalpur will become the fifth city in Odisha to adopt the One Nation One Challan initiative under the Central governments traffic violation management system. Under the project, a unified command and control (UCC) centre will be established on the district police office premises. Besides, satellite control centres will be set up at SMC and the RTO office to ensure seamless coordination and efficient management of the system. The integration of AI-driven analytics tools within the UCC platform will significantly enhance the city polices ability to respond swiftly to citizen safety concerns and improve law enforcement efficiency. SMC commissioner Vedbhushan said the implementing agency, VL Access India, was selected through a competitive e-tendering process under the technical supervision of OCAC. The agency brings extensive expertise in executing similar projects in Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police, Berhampur, Keonjhar and Angul, ensuring a robust and efficient implementation for Sambalpur. A target has been set to inaugurate the project by April 1 on the occasion of Utkal Divas, he added. This initiative marks a significant step towards making Sambalpur a safer, smarter and more secure city using modern surveillance technology and intelligent traffic management solutions to create a well-monitored urban environment. Sources said the project was initially proposed in 2022 and supposed to be executed under the CSR initiative of the local industries. However, the plan could not materialise due to lack of funds.
Over 90,000 Olive Ridleys nest at Rushikulya in two days
BERHAMPUR: Nearly 90,000 Olive Ridley turtles have laid eggs at the Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district in the last two days with 79,000 turtles nesting on Monday. The mass nesting along the 4 km long stretch of the rookery is likely to continue till end of the month and it would surpass previous years, hoped Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Berhampur. This year, nesting activity started during the day, in a departure from the past when the marine species arrived to lay eggs at night. Mass nesting already started at Podempeta, while the other major nesting ground, Gahirmatha is yet to witness it, said Rabindranath Sahu, secretary of Rushikulya Samudrika Kaincha Surakhya Samiti. Anil Mohapatra and Basudev Tripathy, scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), who are tagging and tracking the turtles predict the count during the current season might break records. The turtles, mainly from Sri Lanka come to Rushikulya in October for mating before nesting in mid-February. As per Forest department, no mass nesting was observed last year, but 6.37 lakh Olive Ridleys nested during the 2022-23 season at the rookery.
34 students fall ill after eating noon meals in Sundargarh, Rayagada
ROURKELA/BERHAMPUR : About 34 students from two schools in Sundargarh and Rayagada districts were taken ill after allegedly consuming mid day meal served in their institutions on Tuesday. Thirty students of Udusu Primary school in Sundargarhs Bisra block who fell ill were admitted to the Bisra Community Health Centre (CHC). While four with symptoms of food poisoning were kept under observation, others were discharged after treatment. Bisra block education officer (BEO) Supravat Behera said the situation was under control. Behera said the MDM is supplied to all the schools of the district by one organisation but students of Udusu school only fell sick. Samples of food and water have been collected and sent for test, he informed. Meanwhile, four Class IX students at the government Sevashram in Rayagada districts Rivelkana village also suffered the same sickness after having their daily MDM. According to sources, the students became unconscious while the classes were underway and were rushed to the Rayagada district headquarters hospital. As the news spread, parents of the students gathered in front of the hospital, which led to a commotion. While some claimed the girls fell ill due to food poisoning, others alleged they became unconscious due to fear of ghosts. Chanchala Sahu, matron of the school said they initially suspected the girls fainted due to food poisoning but ruled it out as over 150 others who ate the food didnt fall ill. One of the girls fainted due to epilepsy and the others became unconscious after seeing her. The doctors also said the girls fainted due to shock, she said, adding that the girls were discharged from the hospital in the evening.
Over Rs 62K crore allocated for rural, urban infrastructure to realise Samruddha Odisha dream
BHUBANESWAR : In a major push towards rapid economic and social transformation, the Odisha government has made a whopping allocation of Rs 62,206 crore for infrastructural development in both rural and urban areas as part of its ambitious roadmap for Samruddha Odisha-2036, aligning with the centenary celebrations of the states formation. The state government has allocated over Rs 39,221 crore for rural development and Rs 9,985 crore for urban development besides an additional Rs 13,000 crore for comprehensive city road decongestion plan. A significant portion of the allocation will be directed towards improving connectivity, industrial hubs and both rural and urban infrastructure. The government has planned to expand the road and highway network, construct new bridges, modernise railway infrastructure and strengthen port facilities to enhance trade and commerce. In order to expedite execution of highway and expressway projects, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced creation of an autonomous body Highways Authority of Odisha (HAO) along the lines of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) with a target to construct 75,000 km of world-class roads by 2029-30. A series of strategic road projects including Atal Expressway linking Motu in Malkangiri to Tiring in Mayurbhanj, along with critical road corridors such as Jharsuguda-Balasore, Nuapada-Astaranga, Brundabahal-Gopalpur, Brahmapur-Jeypore, Jeypore-Rourkela and Rourkela-Jaleswar will be developed to enhance connectivity between major ports and districts with hinterlands. State highways would be converted to four-lane standard and district roads including the major ones would be developed to two-lane roads. An outlay of Rs 6,502 crore has been proposed for improvement of 3,000 km of road, and development of Berhampur-Jeypore six-lane green field expressway. While an outlay of Rs 3,470 crore has been made under Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana (MMSY), Rs 2,000 crore each has been allocated under Setu Bandhana Yojana and Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha scheme that aims to enhance rural infrastructure with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in three years. New ports will be developed at Inchudi and Bahuda while Mahanadi riverine port has been planned for ship repair and building.
Minor boy among two killed in road mishap, one critical
BERHAMPUR: Two persons including a minor boy were killed and another suffered grievous injuries after a speeding car hit their motorcycle near Khajuripada chowk in Boudh district on Sunday night. The deceased were identified as Bighneshwar Mahar (50) and Omkar Sethy (12) of Shyamsundarpur village under Biranarasinghpur panchayat. The injured, Himanshu Sethy, has been admitted to the hospital and his condition is reportedly critical. Police said the mishap took place late in the night when the victims were returning from a wedding party. Bighneshwar attended a wedding feast at Karunapali village in Bamanda panchayat. During the feast, he met fellow villager Himanshu and his grandson Omkar who requested him to give them a ride home on his motorcycle. Bighneswar obliged and the trio left for Shyamsundarpur. Near Khajuripada chowk, a car reportedly being driven at high speed, hit their motorcycle. All three of them were thrown off the bike and suffered severe bleeding injuries. Locals rushed them to Boudh district headquarters hospital where doctors declared Omkar and Bighneshwar dead. After preliminary treatment, Himanshu was shifted to VIMSAR, Burla as his condition deteriorated. Following the mishap, the car driver fled leaving his four-wheeler behind. Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt.
Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles begins at Odishas Rushikulya river mouth
Berhampur: Forest officials Sunday spotted the much-awaited mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles near Rushikulya river mouth in Odishas Ganjam district. Over 11,000 turtles have laid eggs on the first day of the mass nesting in the 4-km-long stretch of the rookery, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Berhampur, Sunny Khokkar. The mass nesting will []
MoU signed for states first seawater desalination plant
Chhatrapur: Seawater will soon be converted into fresh water in Ganjam district as the district administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) to establish a desalination plant, the first of its kind in the state. Ganjam District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, IREL General Manager CVR Murthy, and Berhampur RWSS []
Tribals who harnessed a waterfall, greened their wasteland in Odisha
GAJAPATI: April will no longer be the cruellest month for Guruda village in Gajapati district. Their farms will be lush, the expanse of dead land breeding lilacs too. The migrants will not look for way across to greener pastures on the other side. For, the inhabitants in one of the most remote and virtually inhospitable terrains have tamed a waterfall, solving the major cause of their misery and hardships. Located about 25 km from R Udayagiri, the village inhabited by the primitive Saora tribals was affected by a perennial water shortage. There was no water body nearby and the mountainous and rocky landscape made it impossible for digging wells or even boring tube wells as the groundwater table was found more than 200 ft deep. The villagers had measly farmlands which were completely rain dependent for cropping and thus remained useless for the larger part of the year. Daily life was also almost a curse for the families as water was available only at the waterfall atop the mountain - a steep 2 km climb. The womenfolk were forced to go up the mountain at least three to four times a day for all their chores and family necessities - from answering natures call, bathing to fetching water for the household. Though toilets have been constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission, unavailability of water had rendered them unusable. The situation was such that year after year entire families would migrate to outside states in search of work and then subjected to exploitation. Guruda, today, stands as a sterling example of transformation. Pipelines run through the village down to the fields, providing water to the households and irrigating the crops. The wasteland even has turned fertile giving the tribals more fruit for their labour. Things took a positive turn for the villagers last year when a Berhampur-based NGO - Institute of Social Action and Research Activities (ISARA) came to know about the hardships faced by them. ISARAs experts and engineers visited the spot and found that it was possible to install pipes on the mountain to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the village. However, laying pipelines through the treacherous expanse of more than 3 km was a daunting task. The plan required huge manpower and cost. The villagers then stepped in and volunteered labour to set up the water pipes. Now, the waterfalls vicinity has a full-fledged inlet chamber where the stream water is stored and discharged using regulators. The water then passes through the pipes to two collection chambers and is dispersed to the households and agricultural fields. The chambers were constructed and pipelines laid in just about 40 days. The spring water harvesting system in Guruda village became operational about six months back. Apart from their agricultural fields, the tribals have also turned about 15 acre wasteland fertile, and are harvesting organic fruits and vegetables like potato, onion, tomato, brinjal, pumpkin, okra, ridge gourd, cauliflower, cabbage, green chili, banana, etc. They have started generating their own income by selling the produces in local haats, ISARA founder secretary Rabindra Nath Patra said. I worked as a labourer in different states before returning to my village. With the availability of water, our entire family is now engaged in farming. We have now become self-dependant, said Jayab Raita, a villager. Patra said, in the next five years, the agriculture is expected to double and spread over 30 acre of land.
Three members of chain snatching gang busted in Odisha's Berhampur
BERHAMPUR: Berhampur police arrested three chain snatchers, including a woman, who had the denizens on tenterhooks for last two weeks. The arrest led to the recovery of stolen gold ornaments which were returned to the victims at the SPs office on Friday. Berhampur SP Dr Saravana Vivek M said two different gangs were operating in the city. The first involved a woman-led group targeting temples while the second consisted of motorcycle-borne criminals who struck during early morning hours. Following four snatching incidents in the first week of February in areas under Town and BN Pur police stations, a special team was formed. Through CCTV footage analysis and local intelligence, police caught Sabita Behera, also known as Parvati Nayak and Jamuna Behera and recovered two gold chains from her. She confessed to her involvement in temple thefts where her gang would target senior citizens during peak worship hours. She later revealed the identity of her gang members. In a separate operation, two men, Rabi Das of Gandapalli village in Ganjam and Sumen Pradhan of Dasamania in Jajpur district were arrested by the police near Aska college chowk. The duo was responsible for targeting morning walkers. One gold chain and another in melted form was recovered from them. Further investigation is on to ascertain the involvement of the arrested persons in other cases and to nab the absconding members of the womens gang, the SP added.
25-year-old man murdered in Odisha, head crushed with stone
BERHAMPUR: A 25-year-old youth was found brutally murdered near Dolaba village within Pattapur police limits in Ganjam district on Monday. Police identified the deceased as Rajat Gouda, a resident of Podamari village. Rajats head was reportedly smashed with a stone, leading to his death. Sources said some villagers spotted the youths body lying in a pool of blood in a farmland near the road. A motorcycle was also found lying nearby. Suspecting it to be a case of accident, they informed the local police. Subsequently, police reached the spot and found that the youths head was battered with a stone. IIC of Pattapur police station D R Behera said preliminary investigation revealed that the youths head was repeatedly hit with a stone. As it appears to be a case of murder, the scientific team along with sniffer dog visited the crime scene for investigation. Behera informed that Rajat worked in a hotel in Hyderabad and had returned to his village last week. On Sunday evening, he left home for some work but did not return till late in the night. His mobile phone was also switched off. Worried family members even launched a search but could not trace him. On being informed by police, the youths family members reached the spot and identified the body to be that of Rajat. The deceaseds body was sent to the hospital for postmortem. The IIC said a murder case has been registered in this connection. Efforts are on to identify and nab the miscreants involved in the murder. Further investigation is underway.
EAC raises concern over 7 km bridge on Chilika Lake, seeks cost-benefit analysis from NHAI
BHUBANESWAR : Flagging environmental issues over National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)s proposed bridge over Chilika lake, the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has called for a cost-benefit analysis of the 7.740 km project at a cost of around Rs 526.08 crore. A five-member panel, constituted by the EAC, carried out site inspection at the brackish water lagoon on Saturday last. Over the NHAIs request for grant of terms of reference (ToR) for the project, the EAC in its meeting in December last year observed that around 3.4 km length of the proposed bridge falls under the draft eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) boundary of the Nalabana (Chilika) Wildlife Sanctuary. It sought clarification from NHAI for the necessity of constructing the bridge project. It also recommended a formal cost-benefit analysis (CBA) indicating the comparison of impact of construction of the bridge and that of existing boat movement in the lake. The recommendation for a CBA came after the chief executive officer of Chilika Development Authority (CEO) and Puri collector informed that fishing boats used for livelihood and tourism are the only connection for the five villages in the lake but pose a serious environmental threat. Acting on the recommendation of the EAC, a five-member sub-committee headed by Manmohan Singh Negi visited Satpada, draft ESZ area of Nalabana sanctuary and other stretches in Chilika, where the bridge project has been planned, on February 8. Of the 7.740 km length of the project, around 3.340 km will be bridges which will require acquisition of approximately 34 hectare land including 12.75 hectare forest area in Chilika. The project will pass through at a distance of around 8 km from Nalabana (Chilika) wildlife sanctuary and around 3.4 km of it will fall in the draft 10 km ESZ boundary. The stretch will also pass through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-I (B). Based on the report of the sub-committee, the EAC of the Ministry will decide whether it should proceed with the grant of ToR for the proposed project, said a senior official from the state wildlife wing. The proposed project, as planned by the NHAI, starts from NH-316 near Satpada connecting Berhampura, Janhikuda, Khairasahi, Patanasi and Golpur villages and terminates on NH-516A in Krushnaprashad block of Puri. The NHAI claims the project will provide last mile connectivity between Janhikuda and Satpada reducing the road length to only 5.5 km as compared what it says the present length of 238 km through NH-16, NH-316A and NH-516A. The distance between Brahmpur to Puri will be reduced by 135 km, it asserts.
Odisha man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing lover
Berhampur: A court in Odishas Ganjam district Monday sentenced a 34-year-old man to life imprisonment for killing her girlfriend and looting her gold and silver ornaments approximately valued at Rs 2 lakh last year. The district and sessions judge Rupashree Choudhury also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict, Mithun Bisoi, a resident []
Distress sales hit Odisha farmers amidst tomato price slump
Berhampur (Odisha): Tomato farmers in Odishas Ganjam district are facing severe losses as prices have crashed to Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kg at the farm level, despite being sold for Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg in the market. Unable to recover even basic production costs, many farmers have been forced into []
Elephant carcass found in Odisha forest
Berhampur: Odishas forest department officials Saturday recovered the carcass of a 13-year-old female elephant from a forest in Ganjam district, officials said. The animal might have died in Khandisara forest under Jagannath Prasad range in Ghumusar North division three to four days ago. The carcass was buried after conducting a post-mortem examination, said Himansu Sekhar []
Couple among three killed in separate road accidents in Odisha
BERHAMPUR: Three persons including a couple were killed in separate road mishaps in Rayagada and Boudh districts on Friday. In the first incident in Rayagadas Gunupur, a couple died and four persons suffered grievous injuries after a brick-laden tractor overturned near Gulumunda village. Sources said 10 persons of Kujendri village were on way to Gunupur in the tractor when the mishap took place. After the driver lost control, at least six persons were trapped under the tractor trolley. On being informed, Gunupur police reached the spot, rescued the trapped passengers including the driver and rushed them to the local hospital. However, the doctors declared Chaita Sabar (50) and his wife Mamata Sabar (43) dead. Later, one of the four injured was shifted to Gajapati district headquarters hospital (DHH) at Paralakhemundi as his condition deteriorated, said Gunupur IIC Uttam Sahu. Similarly in Boudh, a 20-year-old youth died and four others were injured after their car met with an accident near Jhadrajing village within Purunakatak police limits. The deceased was identified as Gangadhar Mallick of Ranipathar village. Sources said five youths of Ranipathar were returning from Charichakka in a car. Near Jhadrajing village, their four-wheeler hit a roadside tree and turned turtle. On being informed by locals, fire services personnel reached the spot, rescued the five injured and rushed them to Purunakatak hospital. However, the doctor declared Gangadhar brought dead. The rest of the injured youths were later shifted to Boudh and Kandhamal DHHs.
Odisha government to launch its own clean air programme in 12 urban areas
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government will soon launch its own clean air programme in line with the ongoing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and roll it out in 12 towns and cities to improve air quality and tackle air pollution. A decision to this effect was taken during the Quality Monitoring Committee (AQMC) meeting chaired by Additional chief secretary to Forest department Satyabrata Sahu here on Friday. Called the State Clean Air Programme (SCAP), it will be implemented in Sambalpur, Berhampur, Puri, Paradip, Keonjhar, Joda, Barbil, Bonai, Rajgangpur, Jharsuguda, Brajarajnagar, and Belpahar. Majority of the urban areas to be covered by the programme are impacted by intense mining and industrial activities. Currently, several air quality improvement activities are being implemented in seven urban areas - Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Angul, Talcher, Kalinga Nagar and Balasore under NAPC. However, many others with potential air pollution threats were not included in NCAP. Accordingly the AQMC decided to roll out the clean air programme in the 12 identified cities under SCAP, said Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) member-secretary K Murugesan. Sources said basing on the recommendations of the AQMC, the Forest, Environment and Climate Change department will submit a proposal to state government for budgetary allocation to roll out the SCAP for next five years. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be requested to launch the programme for which an action plan would be prepared. Since Odisha is targeting to be among the fastest growing states and has planned rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, a senior Forest officer said, the SCAP is a critical initiative. Population rise in urban areas has also led to significant growth in housing and transport, which in turn increased air pollution through vehicular load, dust, domestic cooking, waste and biomass burning and fugitive emissions from various sources. All these factors make it essential for roll out of SCAP in which more urban areas could be added in the future to manage their air quality, he said. Director of Environment Prem Kumar Jha and transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur were present.
Odisha to deploy mobile morgues for mass fatality disasters
BHUBANESWAR: In a novel initiative that seeks to accord dignity to victims of mass fatality incidents, the Odisha government has procured 12 refrigerated mobile morgues to preserve bodies until they are shifted to hospitals. The morgues can be deployed during road, rail, industrial and drowning accidents as well as natural calamities. The Odisha Fire and Emergency Service which procured the morgues issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure the victims bodies are handled with necessary care and sensitivity. The SOP comes into effect on April 1. The tragic triple train accident in Balasore districts Bahanaga on June 2, 2023 had necessitated that a more humane approach is adopted for preservation of the victims bodies. Two mobile morgues with capacity to preserve 36 bodies each and another 10 which can store 10 bodies each have been procured so that they can be immediately engaged during natural or accidental disasters. The mobile morgues mounted on Odisha Fire Service trucks can preserve bodies up to minus 5 degree Celsius and will be placed in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack (including Naraj), Balasore, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, Koraput, Berhampur and Angul. As part of the SOP, the mobile morgues have been deployed to treat dead bodies with respect and ensure they are handled in a way that upholds the deceaseds rights. The SOP mandates fire personnel to use stretcher bags and white linen clothes to keep the bodies and cover them. To handle the bodies in a respectful manner and to protect the dignity of the deceased as well as their family members, the rescuers have also been directed to wear personal protective equipment like gloves, masks and clothing, read the SOP issued by DG, Fire Services Sudhansu Sarangi. During the Bahanaga accident, rescuers had faced difficulty in preserving and shifting the dead bodies. One of the deadliest railway crashes, it had claimed lives of 296 passengers. Many bodies had to be kept in refrigerated condition for identification purposes for close to four months. The mobile morgues, however, are not usual dead body carriers and will be used only in case of incidents with high fatalities. It has been decided to ensure there is a stock of these equipment in all fire stations as well as with the strike force. All the fire personnel are directed to comply with the SOP in letter and spirit. It is a solemn responsibility that you undertake on behalf of the state government and your conduct will reflect on the authorities in general, the SOP said.
Senior citizen among 2 held in ganja case at Secunderabad railway station
Hyderabad: Secunderabad Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) organized surprise checking against drug peddlers on platforms and trains at Secunderabad Railway Station, and apprehended two persons including a senior citizen for transporting ganja from Visakhapatnam to Surat via Secunderabad. The arrested have been identified as Mithun Sethi, 33, a labourer in a cloth manufacturing company at Surat and Pandav Naik, 60, a labourer. Both were natives of Odisha. Rabindra Dakua of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh was absconding, according to police. While Mithun returned to his native village for his wifes delivery, Naik was unable to speak properly as he was mentally disturbed by family issues, as none of his sons take care of him. As he came to know about the problems of Mithun and Nail, Rabindra lured them saying that he had eight kg ganja in three packets and assured them he would pay Rs.5,000 each, if they transported it to Surat, where persons known to him would collect it. On the same day, Mithun and Naik collected packets from Rabindra and went to Berhampur where they purchased general tickets and boarded a general coach of Konark Express to reach Dadar. They planned to continue their journey to Surat by another train. They concealed the ganja bags under their seats and continued their journey. When the train reached Secunderabad railway station, the police apprehended them while moving under suspicious manner and seized 8.595 kg of dry ganja worth Rs.2.14 lakh and a mobile phone and two journey tickets from the possession of arrested persons.
Tata Power and OREDA Join Forces to Boost Rooftop Solar Adoption in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power and a key player in Indias renewable energy sector, has partnered with the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (OREDA) to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar systems in Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana (PMSGY). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Shri Saidutta Biplab Keshari Pradhan, CEO of OREDA, and Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD of Tata Power, in the presence of Odishas Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. This initiative aims to expand Odishas renewable energy footprint by promoting accessible and affordable solar energy solutions, implemented through Tata Powers four DISCOMs in the state. The program focuses on increasing public awareness and streamlining solar adoption for residential consumers. Speaking on the collaboration, Dr. Praveer Sinha said, This partnership underscores Tata Power's commitment to Odishas development and the states renewable energy goals. We are proud to support the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and work with the state government to mainstream solar power. TPREL, identified as a preferred partner by OREDA, will ensure the provision of reliable and efficient solar solutions with lifetime care. As part of the initiative, awareness drives will be conducted at high-visibility locations such as airports, malls, and railway stations. The company will also develop educational materials on renewable energy, train rooftop installation personnel, and engage with local communities to foster technical expertise. OREDA CEO Shri Pradhan highlighted the states vast solar energy potential, stating, Our partnership with Tata Power is a crucial step in harnessing Odishas solar resources to meet the states energy demands sustainably. Together, we aim to empower consumers and accelerate renewable energy adoption. Odisha, which offers the highest solar subsidies in India, is set to lead the solar revolution, significantly reducing financial barriers for consumers. The initial rollout of the initiative will focus on key cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Paradip, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore, and Rourkela, with plans to expand statewide. OREDA and Tata Power will jointly oversee public awareness campaigns, guide government agencies, and conduct regular reviews to ensure the programs success, marking a significant step toward a sustainable energy future for Odisha.
Odisha Expands Bus Fleet for Maha Kumbh Mela Pilgrims with Four New Buses to Prayagraj
Bhubaneswar: To accommodate the growing number of devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has added four more buses to its fleet, a source from OSRTC confirmed on Wednesday. The new services, which began two days ago, connect various parts of Odisha to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Bus travel, often more affordable than trains or flights, has become increasingly popular, and OSRTC is also planning to extend services to other pilgrimage destinations like Ayodhya. This expansion follows the launch of new bus services on January 13, designed to cater to the needs of pilgrims heading to key religious sites for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. These buses link Odisha with prominent pilgrimage destinations across the country. As part of the initiative, OSRTC buses are transporting devotees from four major cities in OdishaBhubaneswar, Berhampur, Bhawanipatna, and Sambalpurdirectly to Prayagraj. The special services will run until February 26, offering comfortable travel options for the pilgrims. We are committed to continuing these pilgrimage bus services in the future, said transport minister Bibhuti Jena. Additional Secretary of the Transport Department, Laxmikanta Sethi, also mentioned, We are in discussions with senior officials to secure permits for new buses to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. For now, two sets of new buses will operate from four locations.
TPSODL has installed a 100KW rooftop solar plant at its corporate office in Berhampur in Odishas Ganjam district
Two Women Killed After Falling From Train in Odisha's Ganjam
Bhubaneswar: A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded at Surla Road railway station in Odisha's Ganjam district on Sunday, as two women lost their lives after falling from a moving train. The victims, identified as Parvati Gouda and Jhunu Gouda, were residents of Jagannathpur village in the Chikiti block of Ganjam district. Both worked as cooks (pachikas) at a local school in their village. According to reports, the two women were traveling to Bhubaneswar to participate in a rally organised by the Pachika Sangha. During their journey, they attempted to board the Palasa-Cuttack DMU train at Surla Road railway station. Tragically, one of them slipped while trying to board the train during its brief halt. In a desperate effort to rescue her, the other woman also lost her footing. Both women fell onto the tracks and were fatally struck by the moving train. Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel quickly arrived at the scene and recovered the bodies. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over Jagannathpur village, with locals expressing deep sorrow at the loss of two well-known community members. This tragic event once again highlights the critical need for enhanced safety awareness at railway stations. Despite repeated advisories from railway authorities warning passengers against boarding or disembarking from moving trains, such incidents continue to claim lives, said CB Singh, a local resident. Earlier this year, another incident occurred near Rairakhol in Odisha, when a young boy from Berhampur accidentally slipped from the Durg-Puri train while traveling with his family from Raipur to Bhubaneswar. The boy fell off the train at night and was stranded in a forested area until he was rescued by RPF personnel the following morning. Fortunately, he survived the ordeal and received medical attention at a nearby hospital.
Over 59,000 victims of online trading fraud in Odisha in six years: CM Mohan Majhi
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed on Monday that over 59,000 people in the state have fallen prey to online trading fraud in the past six years. He shared these figures in a written statement presented during the State Legislative Assembly session. Between 2019 and November 2024, the state registered 769 cases of online trading scams, affecting 59,437 individuals. The number of reported cases peaked in 2023 and 2024, with 190 cases impacting 18,994 victims in 2023 and 472 cases defrauding 40,270 people in 2024 alone. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Police also reported significant cases, with four online trading fraud incidents in 2023 involving 18,804 victims and three more in 2024 affecting 40,219 individuals. To combat the surge in cybercrime, the state launched a dedicated cybercrime unit under the Crime Branch in Bhubaneswar on September 5, 2023. The unit specialises in investigating identity theft, hacking, phishing, and financial frauds such as ATM and online banking scams. Majhi also highlighted the states first cyber police station, established in 2004 and later moved to Cuttack in 2006. Despite handling fraud cases involving amounts over Rs 25 lakh, the station still operates without a fully sanctioned staff. In a broader effort to combat cybercrime, Odisha inaugurated 11 new cybercrime police stations and upgraded three more in Berhampur, Rourkela, and Sambalpur in 2021. Additionally, all district police headquarters now have cybercrime cells. Other initiatives include a cyber help desk, a 1930 cybercrime hotline, and specialised units focusing on online abuse, cyber forensics, social media monitoring, and digital fraud prevention. We are committed to enhancing our cybercrime response and safeguarding citizens from emerging digital threats, Majhi asserted.
Odisha: TPSODL powers IISER Berhampur, with 33 KV Line
Bhubaneswar : TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) has successfully commissioned a dedicated 33 KV power supply line for the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, marking a significant step towards fortifying Indias education and research ecosystem. Located near the Bay of Bengal, just 1 km from Garampeta sea beach, IISER Berhampur is the only IISER in Odisha and one of seven across India under the Union ministry of education. Its 200-acre permanent campus at Laudigam, Ganjam, accommodates over 800 students and 250 research scholars from diverse states, making it a hub of academic and cultural synergy. The newly commissioned 33 KV power line spans 21 Kilometres, featuring 16.6 Kilometres of underground cabling and 4.88 km of overhead lines. This state-of-the-art infrastructure ensures an uninterrupted, reliable power supply to IISERs academic and research facilities. The underground cabling system is especially advantageous, offering climate resilience, reduced maintenance, and enhanced safetyessential for a coastal institution like IISER Berhampur. TPSODL prioritised safety and operational reliability throughout the project, implementing a range of measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and adherence to global best practices in power distribution. These measures included trimming tree branches near power lines, clearing bushes around key structures, fencing critical infrastructure, greasing isolator blades, and properly earthing cable leads. As an additional safety enhancement, TPSODL recently installed Bird Guards along the 33 KV line. These guards are specifically designed to prevent birds from coming into contact with transmission lines, protecting them from electrocution while ensuring uninterrupted power supply. This innovative step underscores TPSODLs commitment to sustainability, safety, and reliability in power infrastructure. IISER Berhampur plays a vital role in advancing Indias academic and research excellence. At TPSODL, we are proud to empower such institutions with dependable power infrastructure that ensures uninterrupted operations. Our commitment to sustainable energy solutions aligns with Indias vision for a resilient and future-ready power sector, said Amit Kumar Garg, CEO TPSODL. IISER Berhampurs enhanced power infrastructure will bolster its ability to conduct cutting-edge research, foster innovation, and support high-quality education. This initiative also reflects TPSODLs focus on encouraging regional and national development by enabling institutions to perform at their peak potential.
Actor playing demon in Ramayana kills pig on stage, eats meat in Odisha
Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: A 45-year-old theatre actor playing the role of a demon in Ramayana was arrested after he ripped the stomach of a live pig on stage and ate its meat in Odisha's Ganjam district, police said. The incident sparked a statewide outrage and was condemned in the assembly on Monday. Besides the actor, identified as Bimbadhar Gouda, one of the organisers of the play that took place in Ralab village in Hinjili police station area on November 24 was also arrested for cruelty to animals and violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. Ruling BJP members Babu Singh and Sanatan Bijuli strongly condemned the incident in the assembly. Action was taken against the duo after videos of the incident went viral on social media, with animal rights activists also condemning it and calling for strong action against the accused. We are also looking for THE persons who displayed snakes in the theatre. They will also be arrested soon, Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokar said. He, however, did not disclose the name of the arrested organiser. The state government, in a guideline issued in August last year, prohibited the public display of snakes, including by certified snake handlers. We have registered a case against the theatre actor who killed the pig and ate its meat in the theatre, and arrested him, said Hinjili police station inspector-in-charge Srinibas Sethy said. To attract the audience, the theatre group displayed snakes while a demon ripped the stomach of a live pig with a knife, which was tied to the ceiling of the stage and ate some of the organs in full public view, he said. A group of villagers organised the theatre on the occasion of Kanjianal Yatra.
Mango Kernel Tragedy: One more death reported at SCBMCH
Bhubaneswar: A patient who fell critically ill after consuming gruel made from mango kernels passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack. This latest fatality brings the death toll from mango kernel poisoning to three. The deceased, identified as Jita Majhi from Mandipanka village, had been transferred to SCBMCH along with another patient from MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH) after their conditions worsened. While the second patient remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment, Majhi succumbed despite intensive care measures. Despite our best efforts, we could not save Jita Majhi, who had been undergoing hemodialysis with ventilator support. She passed away at approximately 2:15 PM in the ICU of the Medicine Ward, the hospital stated in an official release. This tragedy follows the earlier deaths of two tribal women at MKCGMCH in Berhampur, who had also consumed mango kernel gruel. Six others who consumed the gruel were hospitalized in critical condition. The incident occurred in Mandipanka village under the Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district. On November 7, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik criticised the Odisha government over the reported deaths and called for immediate action to address the issue.
Odisha's Patapur police station selected as best in India
Berhampur: Patapur police station in Odisha's Ganjam district has been selected as one of the three best police stations in the country in 2024 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), officials said. Union Home minister Amit Shah will hand over the trophy to the inspector-in-charge of the police station in the convention of the Director Generals of Police, scheduled to be held at Bhubaneswar from November 29 to December 1. Joint Director and conference secretary, Intelligence Bureau of the MHA, Samir S IIme has written a letter to Odisha Director General of Police, Y B Khurania about the selection of Patapur as the best police station in the country, they said. The ranking of police stations across the country is an annual exercise by the MHA, with the stations judged on the basis of over 150 different parameters like crime rate, investigation and disposal of cases, infrastructure, and delivery of public service. About 20 per cent of the total points are also based on feedback about the police station from citizens, they said. The main objective of the ranking was to improve the quality of policing and make the police stations as friendly. We are very happy as our police station stands as one of the three best police stations in the country. It could be possible due to the teamwork of the staff, said SP(Ganjam), Suvendu Kumar Patra. A team of the MHA had visited the 113-year-old Patapur police station on September 28 to assess its infrastructure facilities, said Sanjay Kumar Mohapatra, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Aska. The team had also taken feedback from the public about the community policing and functioning of the station, officials said. Besides performance on detection, disposal of various crimes, enforcement, steps taken to prevent crimes, implementation of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS), the police station also has good infrastructure facilities like women and child desk, child-friendly corner, toilets, fire safety measures and open gym for the public.
Odisha: Three killed, 13 injured in separate road accidents
Bhubaneswar: In a tragic series of road mishaps across Odisha on Sunday, three people lost their lives, and more than 13 sustained severe injuries, underscoring growing concerns about road safety in the state. In Paradips Atharbanki, Mahendra Jena, a fish vendor, was killed when a speeding truck ran over him. Jena, who was on a bicycle heading to sell fish on the occasion of Chhadakhai, was fatally struck, leading to outrage among locals. Residents staged a road blockade, demanding restrictions on heavy vehicle movement in the area and compensation for the victims family. Another fatality occurred in Balasore when Kanhu Pradhan, a young man returning home from work, was hit by an unidentified vehicle near Indira Square in Basta. The vehicle fled the scene after the incident on National Highway 16. Police have recovered the body and initiated efforts to trace the absconding vehicle. The third incident claimed the life of a female tourist, Sarojini Behera, and left over 13 others injured when their vehicle overturned at Kendughati in Gajapati district under Mohana police limits. The group, traveling from Bhubaneswar to Koraputs Gupteswar, reportedly faced the accident due to reckless driving. The injured passengers were initially rushed to the Mohana Community Health Centre (CHC), with two critically injured individuals later transferred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced treatment. The ill-fated vehicle was carrying 15 people, including the driver, at the time of the accident. Injured passengers cited rash driving as the cause. These incidents have once again drawn attention to the alarming rise in road accidents in Odisha. Authorities and citizens alike are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved road safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
Servitors among 6 arrested for theft at famed Odisha temple
Berhampur: Four servitors were among the six persons arrested in connection with the theft of ornaments and cash from the revered Tara Tarini temple in Odisha's Ganjam district, police said on Friday. Silver ornaments worth Rs 10 lakh were stolen from the temple, a 'Shakta Pith' located on a hilltop in Purushottampur, on November 4. Among the items stolen were the crowns of the deities, a ceremonial umbrella and masks of the deities, according to police. The accused were identified as Amulya Rana (28), Bikash Rana (20), Rabin Kumar Rana of Gobindapur and Goutam Rana of Pratapur -- all servitors of the temple. The other two are the night watchmen of the temple, Kalia Dash (35) and Balaram Nayak (45) of Raipur. A cutter machine was seized from Kalia, while some electrical equipment was found with Balaram. A total of Rs 39,000 in cash was recovered from Amulya and Rabin, said SDPO (Purushottampur) Rajani Kanta Samal. He said the stolen silver ornaments could not be recovered from the accused persons. We are trying to recover the silver ornaments of the deities, he added. Samal said the investigation was continuing to find the other persons involved in the theft. The accused entered the temple by breaking the locks of the entrance gate. Besides stealing the silver ornaments, they had also taken cash from the 'hundi' or the donation box of the temple, police said. The matter came to light on the next morning. An investigation was started after the temple's managing committee lodged a police complaint. CCTV cameras have been installed at the temple following the theft.
Odisha polices emoji faces arrest announcement sparks reactions on X
A social media post shared by Berhampur police in Odisha has captured widespread attention. It has been lauded online for its humourous approach to announcing the arrest of four men accused of assault. Instead of blurred faces, the police replaced the suspects faces with funny emojis, transforming a serious announcement into laughter. The post, shared Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Human skeleton found in abandoned stone quarry in Odisha's Balasore
The skeleton has been recovered from a long abandoned stone quarry in a remote hilltop Berhampur area in Nilagiri subdivision, an officer said
Berhampur SP's social media post using emojis to cover up faces of accused goes viral
As many as 2,952 users have liked it, while 925 have reposted and 218 commented on the post by the time
The Berhampur Police in Odisha have gone viral for their humorous approach to arrest announcements on social media. Instead of blurring the faces of accused individuals, the police have opted to use emojis, adding a playful twist to their posts and garnering positive attention from the public.
Two women die, six in critical condition after consuming mango kernel dishes in Odisha
The women experienced severe stomach pain and discomfort after consuming the mango kernel dishes. Initially treated at the local Godapur Community Health Centre (CHC), they were later transferred to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur when their conditions worsened
