Burglars loot cops house in quarters behind police station in broad daylight in Odisha
ROURKELA: In an audacious daylight burglary, unidentified miscreants sneaked into the official quarters of a police havildar located within the campus of Plant Site police station and decamped with gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 12 lakh on Saturday. The incident came to light after Subrata Hota, a havildar with the Reserve Office (RO), lodged a complaint on Saturday night. The burglary, executed right at the backyard of the police station, is being seen as a mockery of the police at a time when the ongoing Operation Suraksha is specifically aimed at containing property offences and keeping hardcore and habitual offenders under surveillance. Hotas wife said all four members of the family, her husband and their two children, were away at the nearby Lathikata block for a few hours from 9.30 am to 6 pm on Saturday when the incident took place. She said that on returning around 6 pm, they were shocked to find the main door lock broken and rushed inside. She added, Gold and silver ornaments with the present valuation running into Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh were cleaned from the wardrobe and almirah, noting that four door locks were cut open or broken to gain entry into the house. Zone II Deputy SP Amarendra Sandh confirmed that Hota is posted with the RO and had returned home on May 21 after four months of training. On the day of the incident, he was away from home with his family, he said. Quoting the Plant Site IIC, Sandh added that gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh were stolen and an investigation is underway. The complainants official quarter in the police colony is located just behind the Plant Site police station, a campus that is well guarded and enclosed by a boundary wall. The fact that the burglary occurred during daylight hours at such a presumably secure location is being viewed as a direct challenge to police authority. Local residents confided that criminals appear to have little fear of the police, as multiple innovative initiatives aimed at curbing crime are failing to yield the desired results. DIG of Police (Western Range), Brijesh Kumar Rai, described the incident as an aberration. He said, Instruction has been issued to form special teams for the arrest of the culprits and recovery of the stolen properties at the earliest. The DIG also pointed out that compared to 153 theft cases in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, theft cases have dropped to 66 in Q1 (JanuaryMarch) 2025. He added that the cumulative detection rate in theft cases was 55 percent and that there had been an overall 70 percent reduction in theft cases over the past six months.
Burglars mock Rourkela police, steal from officers house on police station campus
ROURKELA: In a daytime burglary, unidentified thieves broke into the official quarters of a police officer located within the Plant Site Police Station campus, escaping with gold and silver ornaments worth over Rs 15 lakh on Saturday. The incident came to light after Havildar Subrata Hota of the Reserve Office (RO) lodged a complaint on Saturday night. The audacity of the theft has made a mockery of the police, particularly in light of the ongoing Operation Suraksha , which aims to curb property offences and keep habitual offenders under surveillance. Hotas wife stated that the family including her husband and their two children, had been away at the nearby Lathikata block from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday when the burglary took place. Upon their return at around 6:00 p.m., they were shocked to find the main doors lock broken. On rushing inside, they discovered that several gold and silver ornaments had been stolen.
Keonjhar and Sundargarh log 2,416 road fatalities in three years
ROURKELA: Keonjhar and Sundargarh - two of Odishas mining heartland districts recorded a staggering 2,416 road accident deaths between 2022 and 2024. On an average, the state records 5,000 road mishap fatalities in a year. According to police data, the Rourkela police district jurisdiction including the Koida Mining Circle (KMC) reported 602 fatalities from 1,361 fatal and non-fatal accidents between 2022 and 2024. Similarly, the Sundargarh police district covering the coal mining belt of Hemgir recorded 712 deaths from 1,061 fatal and non-fatal road mishaps. The Keonjhar police district under which the Joda Mining Circle comes has witnessed 1,102 road fatalities from 2,087 accident cases. Though data for the first quarter of 2025 (January-March) is not available yet, officials admit the accident trends remain concerning and in response, the Odisha Police is preparing a comprehensive action plan to curb the mishaps by at least 30 per cent in the second half of 2025. During a meeting of the Western Range (WR) of police on Friday, Rourkela and Sundargarh police districts and the Keonjhar police district officials discussed targeted measures to curb road mishaps by 30-35 per cent between July and December 2025. DIG of Police (WR) Brijesh Kumar Rai said, A road map is being prepared to take holistic measures to substantially curb road accidents with focus on addressing reasons causing frequent mishaps and enforcement. He stated that several accident-prone regions have been identified, including NH 143 stretch from Vedvyas to Rajamunda, NH 520 stretch from Rajamunda to Koida in Rourkela police district limits, the Bankibhal-Sundargarh, Gopalpur-Taparia and Bankibahal-Kanika roads, the Joda-Barbil-Koida and Joda-Barbil-Gandhamardan-Suakathi roads under Keonjhar limits. He said a drone survey has been carried in most accident-prone points which would soon be monitored using electronic surveillance system. Efforts are underway to collaborate with National Institute of Technology-Rourkela to conduct survey of NHs to analyse the causes of frequent mishaps and also find out engineering faults and black-spots to get them corrected by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Police are also taking help of iRAD (Integrated Road Accident Database) application to analyse day and timings of road accidents to ensure necessary corrective measures. Instructions have been issued to strengthen enforcement with strong action against erratic parking of heavy vehicles on roads, lane-indiscipline, rash, reckless and drunken driving, he added. Bonai MLA Laxman Munda said dedicated parking areas should be created in Koida mining region for heavy vehicles transporting minerals to curb accidents in the region. Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh echoed Mundas sentiments and said separate parking areas should be created for heavy vehicles in the coal-belt of Hemgir. Besides that, driving skill enhancement programs should be held for all vehicle operators in the Hemgir coal belt, Singh added.
Senior cops discuss crime control, measures to prevent road accidents in Odisha
ROURKELA: Officials of the western range of Odisha Police discussed measures to control crime, tackle Maoist activities, curb road mishaps and strengthen policing at a meeting here on Friday. Held under the chairmanship of the DIG (western range) Brijesh Rai, the meeting was attended by Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani, Sundargarh SP Pratyush Diwakar, Keonjhar SP Kusalkar Nitin Dagdu, Rourkela superintendent of railway police (SRP) PC Badajena, special branch additional SP Sangram Tudu and other senior officers of the three police districts. Rai said in tandem with the special branch, the district police would work to avoid possible eruption of any law and order situation. The district police would also work in coordination with the GRP to avoid jurisdictional issues and ensure protection of railway properties. The DIG said, We hope to cut down road mishaps by 30-35 per cent from July to December this year. Detailed project reports have been prepared to achieve the targets in the three police districts. Necessary feedback would be provided to the NHAI and other road construction agencies on the need to correct engineering faults and damaged roads causing mishaps, ensure identification of black spots and display of signages. He further informed that there is no movement of Maoists in Odisha side of the border under the jurisdiction 0f Rourkela police district. Rourkela police is in regular touch with its West Singhbhum counterparts in adjacent Jharkhand and anti-Maoist operation would be launched based on need or intelligence. He said Rourkela shares porous forest border with the Maoist hotbed of West Singhbum. But it is not the same with Sundargarh police district which shares border with adjacent Chhattisgarh. Due to topography disadvantage, there is no report of Maoist infiltration from Chhattisgarh side. Police have initiated measures for detection of illegal immigrants, especially from Bangladesh, for appropriate action. The meeting also discussed implementation of regular crime control measures, status of undetected cases and arrest of fugitives with execution of non-bailable warrants, Rai added.
BHUBANESWAR: Alarmed by the Pahalgam terror attack which killed around 26 people, Odisha Police has tightened vigilance to thwart any similar incident during the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri on June 27. Puri could be a target as at least half-a-million devotees, pilgrims and tourists throng the town during the nine-day festival. Director, Intelligence RP Koche has intimated the senior officers that Puris coastal boundary requires heightened vigilance during the chariot festival. This apart, security at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, a high risk (category-A monument), should be enhanced to prevent any attempts of saboteurs. In a letter to all SPs, DCPs, Cuttack and Rourkela railway SPs and others on Wednesday, Koche underlined that considering the heightened threat perception following the Pahalgam attack, security measures should be augmented during Rath Yatra to ensure a smooth and incident-free festival. He further stressed that Odishas porous coastline needs heightened vigilance, intensified marine patrolling and coordination with Indian Coast Guard and Navy personnel to thwart any infiltration bid. Any attempt by hostile/suspicious elements to take houses on rent should also be kept under a close watch. Regular verification of hotels and lodges should be carried out to identify and nab suspicious persons, the letter stated. Intelligence units should remain on high alert during Rath Yatra to gather information and monitor activities of potential threats and track any suspicious movement towards Puri. A multi-layered security approach is necessary for the chariot festival, including heightened vigilance, robust measures and Al-powered surveillance. Public awareness and cooperation are also crucial in ensuring a safe and secure event. Security coverage at railway stations, bus stands and other places of public gathering must be enhanced, it said. Odisha Police said Puri will remain under a thick blanket of security cover to ensure Rath Yatra festival passes off smoothly. The security personnel will be deployed at vantage points like inside and outside the temple, near the chariots, parking places, taxi/bus stands, restaurants, railway stations, nearest airport and others to keep a close vigil on the anti-social elements.
Sundargarh district sees rise in sex ratio, with 957 girls born per 1,000 boys in 2024
ROURKELA: The tribal-dominated Sundargarh district has recorded a significant rise in the sex ratio over the last two years with the birth rate of girls per 1,000 boys going up to 957 in 2024 from 911 in 2022. According to official statistics, the birth rate of girls per 1,000 boys was 933.6 in 2018, 919.2 in 2019, 935.8 in 2020 and 943.3 in 2021. After a gradual rise till 2021, the birth rate drastically dropped to 911 in 2022 but rose again to 931 in 2023. The next year in 2024, the number of girls taking birth improved to 957. In 2024, the district reported birth of 14,755 boys compared to 14,122 girls with 12,794 institutional and 1,328 domiciliary deliveries of female children. Sources in the health administration said the average birth rate of girls in Sundargarh would have improved further in 2024 but for the poor performance of four pockets in the district. The community health centres (CHCs) in Kutra and Hemgir blocks along with the ones at Laing in Rajgangpur and Mangaspur in Lefripada recorded deliveries of 850 to 900 girls per 1,000 boys last year. They said one of the possible reasons for the low birth rate of girls in these four pockets could be termination of pregnancies in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand after determination of the sex of foetuses. Incidentally on Wednesday, a meeting of the district consultative committee and task force on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act convened under the chairmanship of Sundargarh collector Manoj S Mahajan reviewed the functioning of ultrasound testing facilities, and their monitoring, registration and renewal. The collector laid thrust on taking appropriate measures at the grassroots level and strengthening awareness to improve the scenario in pockets showing low birth rate of girls. Chief district medical and public health officer Dr Guru Prasad Mahanta said the target is to bring the four pockets with low birth rate of girl children at par with the district average. The antenatal registrations are done in three stages. The ANMs and ASHAs of these pockets would be instructed to increase first registration of antenatal cases for effective monitoring and also enhance awareness, he added.
NIT Rourkela Principal Project Associate Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline
NIT Rourkela Principal Project Associate Recruitment 2025 Notification Out! NIT Rourkela has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Principal Project Associate posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 16-06-2025.
Deputy forest ranger in Vigilance net for bribery in Odisha
ROURKELA: Vigilance officials on Tuesday caught the deputy ranger of Bisra under Rourkela forest division red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000 from a person. A senior officer in Rourkela Vigilance division said deputy ranger Asit Pattanayak had demanded the bribe from the complainant whose vehicle was engaged for official use in the Forest department on a hiring basis. The vehicle owner lodged a complaint stating that Pattanayak was demanding Rs 18,000 bribe to release his dues for the month of April and allow him to continue his services in May. Accordingly, a trap was laid and Asit was caught red-handed while he was taking the bribe at his office-cum-residence in Bisra block at around 3.45 pm. The Vigilance officer said his office-cum-residence at Bisra, rented house at Basanti Colony in Rourkela, a flat in Bhubaneswar and his paternal house in Mayurbhanj district were simultaneously searched to determine his disproportionate assets, if any. On completion of investigation, he would be arrested and produced in the Vigilance court at Sundargarh town.
Man posing as Jharkhand doctor gets 30 months jail term
ROURKELA: The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Sharmistha Padhi on Monday sentenced a 53-year-old man to 30 months of imprisonment for impersonating a doctor. A habitual offender, Padmanava Mukhi Karua was caught serving in Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) by stealing the identity of a Jharkhand doctor. Impersonating as Dr Ramesh Chandra Jha of adjacent Jharkhand, Karua had got contractual appointment in the dialysis unit of RGH through an outsourcing agency on December 26, 2023. His fake identity got revealed accidentally in June 2024. A resident of Rourkela city, Karua has studied up to Class XII. According to police, Karua had availed a loan of about Rs 16.5 lakh from a private non-banking financial company by forging the documents of Dr Jha. However, he had failed to change the actual phone number of Dr Jha. The authorities of the finance company called Dr Jhas number and came to know about the fraud. Subsequently, a complaint was filed in RN Pali police station. After his arrest, Karua revealed his original identity and confessed to his crime. Assistant public prosecutor Akshay Sahu said a charge-sheet was framed against Karua under sections 419, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to 30 months of imprisonment for the offence under section 419. Similarly, he was awarded one to two years of imprisonment for the other counts. All the sentences would run concurrently. Earlier, Karua had secured a government appointment by using forged documents and served at Hathibari primary health centre (New) in Nuagaon block of Sundargarh district as a doctor for a couple of years. However, he was arrested by Sundargarh Town police on November 13, 2019 on basis of the complaint lodged by the then chief district medical officer. Subsequently in 2022, a court in Sundargarh town sentenced Karua to five years of imprisonment. However, he managed to secure bail and was released from jail.
Counter-terror step: Odisha gets its first NIA police station
BHUBANESWAR: In a move to strengthen counter-terrorism apparatus, the Odisha government has announced establishment of the states first National Investigation Agency (NIA) police station in the capital city. The newly-designated station will be located at the regional telecom training centre near Vani Vihar here and have jurisdiction over the entire state, enabling faster and more effective investigation of scheduled offences under the NIA Act, 2008, sources said. A notification issued by the Home department on Saturday stated, In exercise of the powers conferred under section 2(1)(u) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the state government do hereby declare the office of NIA as a police station for the whole state of Odisha in respect of investigation of scheduled offences under NIA Act. The decision came amid growing concerns over terror-related activities in the country. Odisha is home to vital national establishments like the missile testing range, naval base and army air defence centre and religious landmarks like the Lord Jagannath temple. It has long been on the radar of terror outfits such as the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Sources said although the NIA already had a small office in the city, it lacked sufficient manpower to handle serious investigations. In case of a major terror incident or related developments, officials had to be flown in from Delhi or other places for investigation. An official familiar with the development said the current process of handling terror cases often causes delays in investigation. Whenever there is a terror-related incident, the case first gets registered with the local police and then forwarded to the NIA. This slows down the probe. With the new police station, such cases can be registered directly with the NIA, enabling the agency to initiate investigations without delay, he explained. Sources said, the state government is likely to depute some police officers to the NIA, which is now short-staffed. With this, Odisha joins a select group of states to have a full-fledged NIA police station. Security experts have welcomed the initiative, calling it a timely step in light of the states vulnerability due to its strategic installations. In 2015, an AQIS operative Abdul Rehman was arrested from Salipur area in Cuttack district on charges of radicalising youths for terror activities. Next year, five operatives of SIMI, who had escaped from a jail in Madhya Pradesh, were arrested from Rourkela city. Four terror suspects had fled from a hotel in the capital city before police raid a few years ago. Besides, a number of espionage incidents have been reported in the state in the recent past.
Rourkela Municipal Corporation plans to clear Chhend garbage hill by July
ROURKELA: Efforts to remove legacy municipal solid waste through bio-mining have gained momentum in Rourkela, with the administration targeting full clearance of the dumping site near Chhend Colony by July. The 25-acre plot, situated between Rourkela airport and the BPUT campus, has been marked for reclamation and future development. The Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC), following the citys comprehensive development plan, seeks to utilise the land for residential and commercial projects. Three days ago, Rourkela ADM Ashutosh Kulkarni, also serving as RMC Commissioner and Rourkela Development Authority (RDA) vice-chairman, inspected the site. Speaking to the media, Kulkarni confirmed that the area would be fully cleared and levelled for future use. He noted that Odisha government is prioritising the expansion of Rourkela airport, and the reclaimed land, subject to height restrictions, can be effectively utilised for planned development. Once cleared, the plot may be allocated through the land allotment committee (LAC) or RDA, with proper demarcation and planning. The site has recently grown in significance due to the establishment of Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium and restoration of commercial operations at the airport. For decades, however, the area served as an illegal dumping ground, creating mountains of stinking waste and raising serious environmental concerns. Since 2022, the administration has been undertaking systematic bio-mining to address the issue. By December last year, around two lakh tonne of legacy waste had been removed, with another 40,000-50,000 tonne remaining at the site. However, the continuation of dumping waste in the vicinity had drawn public ire. In response, the administration has decided to relocate the current dumping site to Tarkera, following land allotment of three acre by the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). Last month, the RMC commissioner announced that a tender had been floated for developing the new waste management facility at Tarkera. The proposed site will house a processing centre equipped for segregation of wet and dry waste, as well as secure disposal of inert material.
Rs 4 crore scam surfaces as dozens of used cars vanish from dealership in Rourkela
ROURKELA: Multiple dozens of used cars vanishing from the stockyard of an authorised Kia Motors dealer in Rourkela have brought to light a scam the volume of which could be to the tune of Rs 4 crore. The used vehicles were received as part of exchange offers for sale of Kia brand of cars. A preliminary claim suggested that 50-60 used cars disappeared from the showrooms stockyard at Vedvyas under Brahmani Tarang (BT) police limits here. The authorised dealer blamed a well-knit racket of its former employees and police on Thursday arrested 47-year-old Md Daud charging him with selling the used cars in connivance with others. Based on a complaint filed by Rishab Agarwal, partner of Sheeta Auto Cares, a limited liability partnership (LLP) and authorised dealer of Kia Motors, a case under sections 306, 316 (2), 336 (2), 336 (3), 339 and 314 of BNS was registered on February 25. According to Rishabs complaint, the dealer made detailed verification of books of accounts, sales ledgers and stocks which led to the missing used cars with manipulation of amounts and bank statements. The scam came to their notice during December 2024 and after an internal inquiry, a police complaint was filed. Rishab claimed those part of the racket carried out forgery which took place between mid-2022 and mid-2024 with alleged involvement of executives in the rank of general manager, sales manager, exchange manager, chartered accountant, accounts head as well as cashier. These employees, he claimed, had quit jobs between April and May 2024. Asked how the shortage of 50-60 used cars went unnoticed from the stockyard, Rishabs father and authorised signatory in the LLP Dilip Agarwal claimed it appeared to have been carried out meticulously. Every month 25 to 30 new Kia vehicles were sold with a good number of used cars/SUV coming through in exchange. It seems two to three used cars were clandestinely sold from the stockyard. Since the stockyard used to house used, accident claim and new vehicles, clandestine dispersal in a small number skipped their notice, he added. Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani said Daud has been arrested and as of now, it is ascertained that the arrested person in connivance with other employees of the showroom committed the crime. He said more arrests are expected. Police also recovered and seized nine used cars of different makes including Renault, Maruti Suzuki, Force and Hyundai and related transactions worth Rs 29.50 lakh.
BSF jawan from Assam found dead on train at Rourkela station
Odisha govt to launch mobility cards, WhatsApp ticketing facility for Ama Bus passengers
BHUBANESWAR: The state government has decided to provide National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) and WhatsApp ticket booking facilities to Ama Bus passengers to facilitate seamless travel for them. Chairing a review meeting of CRUT on Thursday, Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra asked officials to ensure timely implementation of the new services. Mahapatra laid special focus on infrastructure development, digital initiatives and CRUTs ongoing plan regarding expansion of Ama Bus service to eight new towns in the state. He emphasised the need to speed up the process for installation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in all buses for improved road safety and operational efficiency, and asked authorities to keep a check on ticketless travellers to prevent pilferage. To improve service delivery and boost workforce motivation, the minister recommended the introduction of key performance indicator (KPI) incentives for performing crew based on commuters feedback. CRUT managing director N Thirumala Naik said the agency has already approached National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) for introduction of NCMCs so that Ama Bus commuters can opt for seamless travel in city buses, metros and similar public transport integrated in the digital initiative across the country. Naik said the current Ama Bus pass system, which at present is available to commuters in Bhubaneswar region, will also be extended to Rourkela and other places very soon. The online Ama Bus ticket booking facility will also be made available to the commuters on WhatsApp soon. We are working to ensure implementation of these digital initiatives as early as possible, he added. CRUT was asked in the meeting to increase its digital transactions and strive to make it 50 per cent by this year-end.
NIT Rourkela Project Associate Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 02 Posts
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 02 Project Associate posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 03-06-2025.
2 Rourkela students score over 99% in CBSE exams
Rourkela Steel Plant sets Rs 361 crore profit target in 2025-26 fiscal
ROURKELA: Treading cautiously after reportedly surviving a scare of major loss in 2024-25 financial year, the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) of SAIL has set a moderate profit before tax (PBT) target of Rs 361 crore for 2025-26. In 2024-25, RSP had projected a PBT target of Rs 1,008 crore but ended up suffering heavily due to the adverse steel market conditions. While RSPs production was at the peak, it suffered from drastic drop in net sales realisation (NSR) of its products due to cheaper availability of imported steel in the domestic market. Reliable sources in the RSP said in the first nine months of 2024-25 (April to December 2024), the blue chip unit of SAIL had incurred a loss of around Rs 145 crore. With improvement in performance in Quarter 4 (January to March 2025), RSP managed to thwart the fear of major loss. Pending declaration of audited figure, the plant may at best end up with net profit of barely Rs 10 crore or slightly more, they said. According to the annual business plan (ABP) for 2025-26, RSPs budget 2025-26 envisages PBT figure of Rs 361 crore from projected total revenue of Rs 22,998 crore. Releasing the ABP 2025-26 on April 1, RSP director-in-charge Alok Verma had said in 2024-25 financial year, the plant crossed many milestones in production, productivity and techno-economics. Hence, we have set ambitious targets for financial year 2025-26 such as hot metal production of 4.73 million tonne (MT), crude steel production of 4.39 MT and saleable steel production of 4.40 MT, he said. He exhorted the RSP employees to eliminate break downs and surprises, reduce wastage and cut down production cost by at least 20 per cent in financial year 2025-26. President of BMS-affiliated Rourkela Ispat Karkhana Karmachari Sangh (RIKKS) Himanshu Sekhar Bal said according to available information, RSP is going to hardly make around Rs 10 crore of the net profit in 2024-25. This was largely due to the drop in NSR. The RSPs production cost per tonne of steel was around Rs 45,500 but was selling for Rs 44,500 due to flooding of imported steel in the domestic market, he said. Former general secretary of Steel Executives Federation of India (SEFI) Bimal Bisi said RSP is likely to bounce back in the ongoing financial year as the Centre has announced to impose 12 per cent safeguard duty on import of certain non-alloy and alloy steel flat products. This measure is a timely and necessary step to protect domestic steel manufacturers from adverse impact of import surges, he added.
NIT Rourkela Research Fellow Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Research Fellow posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 03-06-2025.
68-year-old hacks nephew to death over ownership of tree in Odisha
ROURKELA: An elderly man hacked his 40-year-old nephew to death following a fierce quarrel at Sanjolo village within Mohulpada police limits, around 100 km from Rourkela, in Sundargarh district on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Dhula Dehuri. The accused, 68-year-old Sukadev Dehuri, has been detained by police. Sources said the uncle-nephew duo had a bitter relationship and used to quarrel frequently. On Saturday night, Sukadev was enraged after Dhula reportedly threatened to kill him. IIC of Mohulpada police station Suresh Chandra Pradhan said the accused and his nephew were neighbours. Dhula claimed ownership of a mahula tree located on the edge of his uncles garden and used to quarrel with Sukadev on a regular basis. Pradhan said during interrogation, the elderly man claimed that he killed his nephew with a sickle-like sharp weapon after the latter threatened to kill him. The accused failed to specify any reason for their quarrel on Saturday night but said his nephew nursed a grudge against him over the ownership of the tree. The IIC said the deceaseds body has been sent to the hospital for autopsy. The accused is being questioned and will be arrested. Further investigation is underway and accounts of villagers are being collected to ascertain the exact motive behind the murder, he added.
NIT Rourkela Program Consultant Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Program Consultant posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 25-05-2025.
NIT-Rourkela kick-starts infrastructure works for creation of capital assets
ROURKELA: In view of its growing campus strength, the National Institute of Technology-Rourkela (NIT-R) has initiated massive construction activities towards building infrastructure with the help of easy educational loan and corporate donations. In 2023, the institute had signed an MoU with the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) and secured loan support of Rs 165.81 crore under window-1 category. Subsequently, another MoU was signed towards securing Rs 33.16 crore loan from HEFA. HEFA is a joint venture company of Canara Bank and Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide financial assistance for creation of capital assets including educational infrastructure and R&D facilities in Indias premier educational institutions. Sources said on basis of its annual earning capacity and loan repayment capability, NIT-R came under the window-1 category in which it has to only return the principal loan amount to HEFA while the MoE would pay the interest. NIT-R registrar Prof Rohan Dhiman said after obtaining necessary forest and urban local body clearances, work is going on in full swing on multiple infrastructure projects from March. Currently, a hostel block with a capacity to accommodate 1,000 boys, a 500-seat girls hostel and 72 faculty residences are being constructed. Similarly, work on a five million litre per day sewerage treatment plant would start soon. The Central Public Works Department is implementing the HEFA projects through its contract firm. The registrar further informed that there are plans for construction of another 500-seat hostel block under economically weaker section ((EWS) category with funding from the MoE. Besides, another 500-seat hostel for girls with funding of Rs 42.69 crore from Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) is on the anvil. He said the student strength is around 8,000 and the institute presently has a total hostel capacity of 4,500. After completion of the ongoing projects, the total hostel strength would increase to 7,000. Dhiman also informed that NIT-R will construct 72 residences for non-teaching staff at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore from its own corpus. Construction work of a permanent building of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) on the institutes campus would start soon at a cost of Rs 36 crore for which the Coal India Ltd (CIL) has already provided Rs 26 crore. The strength of the campus community together with 8,000 students, 410 faculty members, 370 non-teaching staff and their family members is around 13,000. NIT-R receives annual financial grant of Rs 220-Rs 230 crore from the MoE and generates about Rs 45-Rs 50 crore from student fees.
Union Minister Jual reiterates demand for ESIC MCH at Odisha's Rourkela
ROURKELA: Union Tribal Affairs minister and Sundargarh MP Jual Oram has reiterated his demand for establishment of an Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Rourkela. The renewed demand comes after the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment recently gave in-principle approval for setting up 10 new ESIC MCHs across India. In a letter on May 7 to Union Labour and Employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Oram stressed the urgent need for an ESIC hospital in Rourkela, particularly to address the lack of quality healthcare in rural and remote areas. Rural and remote regions face significant challenges in accessing quality healthcare, resulting in adverse health outcomes, he wrote. Highlighting Rourkelas strategic location in the northwestern part of Odisha and its status as the states industrial hub, especially in steel production, Oram argued that the city is ideally positioned for such a facility. He noted that nearly three lakh ESIC card-holders reside in and around Rourkela, and an MCH would significantly enhance access to super-specialty healthcare for them and the larger population in the surrounding districts. Oram also pointed out that Rourkela currently lacks healthcare services of super-specialty and multi-specialty standards, making it a suitable candidate for the proposed ESIC institution. He had made similar demands on multiple occasions in the past. Meanwhile, RN Pali MLA and BJP leader Durga Charan Tanti has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating the demand for the ESIC MCH in Rourkela. In his letter dated April 30, he endorsed the ongoing efforts and representations made by various local organisations. The Sachetan Nagarik Sangh (SNM), a local citizen group, has also urged the Union Labour and Employment minister to establish the ESIC MCH and an Occupational Disease Centre in Rourkela. The group cited examples from states like Bihar and Karnataka, where ESIC MCHs provide healthcare on par with AIIMS standards to both insured persons and the general population.
Robust security at key installations, coastline: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi
Odisha government has increased security at important places because of rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi discussed security plans with top officials. Security is strengthened at Chandipur missile range, Puri Jagannath Temple, Hirakud dam, and Rourkela Steel Plant. Marine police are patrolling the coast. Police are working with the Coast Guard and Navy.
22 stations in W Odisha to get Amrit Bharat revamp
BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Railways has taken up redevelopment of 22 railway stations in six western Odisha districts under Amrit Bharat Station scheme. Sources said the redevelopment works are underway at a cost of Rs 332 crore in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi districts. Work has already commenced at many stations, including Jharsuguda Road, Brajarajnagar, Belpahar, Sambalpur City, Khariar Road, Hirakud, Kesinga, Bargarh Road, Barpali, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kantabanji, Harishankar Road, Bhawanipatna, Bimalagarh, Rajgangpur, and Panposh. The Ministry of Railways has already sanctioned Rs 18.77 crore for Jharsuguda station, Rs 23.76 crore for Sambalpur, Rs 16.25 crore for Khariar Road, Rs 22.87 crore for Hirakud, Rs 20.85 crore for Kesinga, Rs 23.84 crore for Bargarh Road, Rs 20.88 crore for Barpali, Rs 18 crore for Balangir, Rs 35.79 crore for Titlagarh and Rs 33.87 crore for Kantabanji. Similarly, Rs 16.66 crore has been allotted for Harishankar Road, Rs 18.83 crore for Bhawanipatna, Rs 9.69 crore for Bimlagarh, Rs 37.65 crore for Rajgangpur and Rs 14.22 crore for Panposh. Sanction of estimates and hiring of consultants are under progress for Jharsuguda, Himgiri, Rourkela and Sambalpur railway stations. The redevelopment includes upgrades to station buildings, platforms, ticketing systems, waiting areas, digital signages, and security infrastructure. The focus will be on ensuring accessibility through the installation of lifts and escalators, especially for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers. The stations have been designed using eco-friendly principles, incorporating renewable energy solutions, water conservation, and waste management systems. Circulating areas are being restructured with dedicated pick-up and drop zones and expanded parking facilities. Passengers can expect improved amenities such as Wi-Fi, coach and train indication boards, modern toilets, and better catering services. These enhancements are expected to stimulate tourism and create employment opportunities, adding momentum to local economic development, said a railway official.
BEd exam put off, students stuck in Kurukshetra
ROURKELA: About 350 students of western Odisha districts, currently taking BEd examination at Kurukshetra in Haryana, are stuck after the Kurukshetra University (KU) deferred the test on Friday till further orders amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan. With no clarity on next examination dates, the students are in a dilemma whether to stay put or return. Kurukshetra is located barely 50 km from Ambala cantonment. The second year students of BEd are mostly from Rourkela and other parts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Samblapur, Boudh, Sonepur districts. They had left for Kurukshetra on May 1 with return journey reservations of May 13 and 14. Sources said the students appeared for two papers on May 5 and 7, while the test for the third paper on Friday was postponed. There is no clarity about the final paper scheduled for May 12. Anna Sebati Kujur, a student from Rajgangpur in Sundargarh, said uncertainty over the examination rescheduling prevails but getting train reservation on another date is a huge concern. The Jammu Tawi Express is the only direct train from Kurukshetra to Sambalpur via Rourkela and Jharsuguda and it is running overcrowded at present. Most students want rescheduling of the two remaining papers on April 12 which, at present, appears to be the most feasible option and have been sending requests to the university authorities. Anna said she and other students remain apprehensive of sudden escalation of the conflicts and are praying for safety. Another student, Bishal Patel of Jharsuguda said there is no problem with their stay as of now. He said they periodically hear war sirens and announcements which make them apprehensive away from home. Rourkela-based facilitator of KU Soubhagya Naik said separate teams have been keeping watch on the needs and safety of students and coordinating with the university authorities. About 60 first year students from Rourkela and nearby areas left for Kurukshetra on Thursday and Friday while others were advised to cancel their journey for the examination scheduled from May 13 to 27. The BEd students, many accompanied by family members from Odisha, are staying at Jaat Dharamshala, Punjab Dharamshala, Agarwal Dharamshala, Brahmin Dharamshala, Vishwakarma Dharamshala, Rod Dharamshala, Renuka Sadan Dharamashala, Krishna Dham Dharamshala. Others are staying as paying guests in Kurukshetra. Neither KU vice-chancellor Prof Som Nath nor registrar Dr Virender Pal responded to email queries for comment. Sundargarh district emergency officer (DEO) Ashwini Panda said the administration is trying to stay in touch with the students and in the event of any exigency, the Resident Commissioner would be alerted for help.
NIT Rourkela Project Associate Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 02 Project Associate posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 19-05-2025.
ED raids underway at 5 places in Kolkata over 'irregularities' in NRI quota medical admissions
The central probe agency is investigating whether documents were forged to create false NRI credentials for admission of local Indian students in medical colleges in Odisha's Bhubaneswar and Rourkela
RGH Rourkela Medical Officer Recruitment 2025 Walk in for 04 Posts
Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH Rourkela) Recruitment 2025 for 04 posts of Medical Officer. Candidates with Other Can attend the walkin.The Walk-in inerview on 09-05-2025. For detailed information please visit RGH Rourkela official website, sundargarh.odisha.gov.in.
NIT Rourkela Project Assistant Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 01 Posts Before May 10
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Project Assistant posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 10-05-2025.
NIT Rourkela Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 01 Posts Before May 15
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Junior Research Fellow posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 15-05-2025.
Odisha Techie Uses ChatGPT To Negotiate Auto Fare In Bengaluru
Sajan Mahto, a content creator and tech enthusiast from Odisha's Rourkela, shared how he used ChatGPT's voice feature to overcome the language barrier.
NIT Rourkela Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 01 Posts Before May 05
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Junior Research Fellow posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 05-05-2025.
NIT Rourkela Field Investigator Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline for 02 Posts Before May 07
TheNational Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 02 Field Investigator posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official NIT Rourkela website. The last date to submit the application form is 07-05-2025.
NCST takes suo motu cognisance of death of a tribal during protest in Odisha
NCST asks Sundargarh district and Rourkela Steel Plant authorities to submit factual reports
Under-trial prisoner's death in Rourkela jail stirs up controversy, wife alleges murder
ROURKELA: The death of an under-trial prisoner due to head injuries under mysterious circumstances inside Rourkela Special Jail has stirred up a controversy, with the victims wife alleging that he was murdered in judicial custody. Sources said UTP Rajesh Kujur (42), a resident of Dalki village under Raiboga police limits in Sundargarh district, was arrested in an excise case for illegal sale of country liquor. He died at the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) during treatment in the wee hours on April 16. Kujurs wife, Amrita Kujur, said her husband was picked up from home at around 5.30 am on April 15. She got calls from the jail and excise authorities at around 10 pm, and the caller informed that her husband was admitted to RGH after he suffered head injuries due to a fall. With no means of travel at night, she reached RGH by the morning next day, only to find her husband dead. Amrita alleged that her husband was healthy when arrested. In the morgue, I saw his shirt was soaked in blood with his head fully covered in bandage, she said. She alleged that her husband, who was the only bread-winner of the six-member family, was murdered in custody. Excise inspector at Rourkela Mohan Pradhan said Kujur was a habitual offender for the sale of illegal liquor, and he was arrested on April 15 after the recovery of over 18 litres of country liquor. He was produced before the court after the mandatory health check-up and sent to jail. It is suspected that Kujur suffered a fall inside the jail due to a seizure, causing the fatal head injuries, Pradhan said. Inspector-in-charge (IIC) of RN Pali police station Rajendra Swain said the jail authorities, in writing, intimated police that Kujur had suffered head injuries due to a fall and was admitted to RGH on April 15. He died while undergoing treatment. The exact reason for death would be known from the autopsy report. A detailed investigation would be conducted to ascertain the reason and circumstances of Kujur sustaining the fatal head injuries, the IIC said. Tribal activist Reshma Ekka said the RGH record showed he was admitted at 6.45 pm on April 15 and died at 3 am on April 16. She further alleged that Kujur was tortured in custody, leading to his death. She warned of agitation and demanded action against those responsible for the alleged murder and compensation for the bereaved family. Rourkela Special Jail Superintendent Jiban Singh Munda did not respond to calls for comment.
Bioink helps in bone regeneration; fixes issues in the injured
A Bio-ink developed from natural materials promises to help improve bone grafting and implants in people suffering from injury or disease of bones. A research team from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, focused on improving existing bone repair techniques in coming up with the natural bioink that is biocompatible, easy to use, and 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 .
NIT Rourkela researchers develop bioink for bone regeneration; secure patent
NEW DELHI: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NITR) have made a significant breakthrough in bone regeneration by developing a unique bioink that is biocompatible for human bone regeneration. This innovative bioink is designed to address the challenges with bone grafting and implants, which are commonly used to treat bone defects caused by injury or disease. Made from natural materials, the bioink is easy to use for the 3D bioprinting of bone-like structures. One of the key advantages of this bioink is that it can be printed directly onto injuries, providing a simpler alternative to traditional bone grafts and implants. The technology has also been granted a patent. Traditional bone grafting involves using bone from another part of the body or a donor to replace the damaged bone, but this method has several drawbacks, including pain, limited availability, and the risk of rejection. Metal implants, such as titanium plates, are another option for repairing damaged bones; however, these do not always bond well with natural bone and can lead to complications over time. Both methods often require surgery and, in some cases, multiple procedures for proper healing, said Prof. Devendra Verma, Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at NITR, who developed the technology alongside researchers Tanmay Bharadwaj and Shreya Chrungoo. Meanwhile, there are existing bioink technologies which can also repair damaged bones, they tend to be slow and complex. These bioinks require a lengthy preparation period under laboratory conditions before they can be implanted, and the printed tissue must be maintained in a controlled environment for the cells to grow and form functional bone before use. To overcome the challenges posed by existing technologies, the NITR researchers simplified the process, making treatment more efficient. They developed a bioink that remains liquid at room temperature but quickly transforms into a gel when exposed to body temperature and variations in pH levels. This allows it to be printed directly onto an injury, meaning the material is applied at the injury site instead of being printed separately and implanted later, explained Verma. The adaptability of the bioink makes it suitable for treating irregularly shaped bone defects, providing a personalized approach to bone regeneration, he added. The findings of their research have been published in journals including the Journal of Biomaterials Science and Carbohydrate Polymers. Research and clinical trials will help determine its effectiveness in real-world applications, paving the way for its use in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery, he added. Researchers also noted that the new bioink technology can be utilised in research to study bone tissue engineering and to test new therapies in laboratory and preclinical settings. The team plans to test the developed bioink in appropriate animal models and develop a scalable production process in a Good Manufacturing Practices facility for future clinical trials. To facilitate commercialization, the researchers have also established a startup, Quixotix Bioprinting Pvt. Ltd.
SAIL Plans To More Than Double Rourkela Plant Capacity For Rs 30,000 Crore
At present, the total steelmaking capacity of Steel Authority of India Ltd. stands at 20.3 million tonnes per annum, of which RSP's contribution is 4.4 MTPA.
Managing diabetes: Now, AI will predict blood sugar levels
An AI-driven technique now helps predict levels of blood glucose and improve the management of diabetes. Prof Mirza Khalid Baig and his team at the National Institute of Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) have developed the Artificial Intelligence approach to improve blood sugar predictions for people with diabetes. Prof Khalid Baig, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology and Medical 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 .
JEE Main Session 2: Seat availability At NITs, JoSAA 2025 Counselling And Other Details
JoSAA 2025 is jointly organised by IIT Kanpur and NIT Rourkela. CSAB 2025 is led by NIT Rourkela.
Submit report on land displacement in Rourkela in 30 days: NCST asks High Power Committee
Tribals have moved NCST seeking restoration of unused land surrendered by Rourkela Steel Plant to Odisha government
Meet man, engineering graduate, who is set to lead govt company, it is India's first...
A mechanical engineering graduate from the regional engineering college in Rourkela, Kanti joined IndianOil in 1994.
Meet man who lived in humble house, now owns mansion in Dubai, luxury cars, he is from...
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, he shared two contrasting images, one depicting his childhood home in Rourkela, a small and rundown structure where he grew up, and the other showcasing his current residence-a lavish mansion in Dubai, accompanied by a Porsche Taycan and a G Wagon Brabus 800.
ROURKELA: A tusker succumbed to severe injuries inside the Kusumura reserve forest near Karuabahal village of Ujjalpur range of Sundargarh Forest Division (SFD) on Saturday noon. It is suspected the ill-fated elephant was gored to death by another tusker. Sources said during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, the elephant tracking squads spotted the elephant and planned to extend treatment on Saturday morning. Accordingly, the SFD authorities along with veterinary doctors reached the spot, but the elephant collapsed and died between 10 to 10.30 am on Saturday. Sundargarh Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pradeep Mirase said the tusker had arrived from the adjacent forest of Chhattisgarh, adding that when they saw the elephant it was active, but its movement was sluggish. Mirase said they had come prepared to tranquilise the tusker for cleaning of its wounds for treatment in standing position, but it collapsed and died shortly after. He said after close examination of the carcass the veterinary authorities concluded the tusker died of fatal injuries with deep piercing from tusks of another tusker following a deadly fight. Mirase said besides small injury marks on the body of the tusker there were two deep stabbing injuries in the neck region and hind thigh which were infested by maggots, adding it appeared the deadly battle occurred between the tuskers 4-5 days ago. The DFO also said the height of the deep goring injuries could be reached by another elephant. One of the broken tusks of the dead elephant was found nearby which was stained with blood, the DFO said, adding that it is highly possible the other warring tusker also might have sustained severe goring injury. He said the Joint Task Force has been informed of the incident along with sharing of video and photographic evidences. However, the other tusker could not be traced in the nearby region. Efforts were underway to conduct autopsy on the carcass and bury it nearby the spot of its death.
NIT Rourkela develops traffic management solution using deep learning models
