AAI team completes pre-feasibility study for Rourkela Airport
Rourkela: A team of Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials has completed the pre-feasibility study of Rourkela Airport. The team, which arrived Monday, toured the airport site and nearby areas like Sector-13 and the OMFED plant Tuesday. Bimal Bisi, president of Sachetan Nagarika Mancha (SNM), an organisation advocating for development of the airport, stated, Discussions []
Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to work together for elephant protection
ROURKELA: Senior forest officials of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh resolved to work together for protection of elephants and their habitats at an inter-state coordination meeting held at Rourkela on Wednesday. Discussions focused on effective monitoring of elephants in the three states and the ways in which Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh can benefit from emulating successful models of Odisha. Presentations were made on use of AI cameras in Rourkela forest division to prevent elephants from train mishaps, use of drones with thermal cameras in Keonjhar for better monitoring of jumbo herds, rescue of injured elephants, use of Anukampa application and web portal for faster disbursal of compensation against property damages and human casualties besides the role of rapid response teams in handling conflict situation. Presentations were also made on monitoring elephants through radio collaring and role of electricity department and railway authorities to protect the jumbos. Divisional forest officers (DFOs) of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh elaborated on ongoing measures in their respective divisions towards management of elephants. Regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF), Rourkela P Ramaswamy said the annual meeting under the regional wildlife conservation plan aims at strengthening collaboration with the Forest departments of adjacent Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to ensure protection of elephants and long-term measures for sustaining their population. Ramaswamy said 2,103 elephants have been counted across eight circles in Odisha. Rourkela and Bhawanipatna Circles witnessed significant growth in elephant population during the winter compared to summer. This seasonal variation suggests large-scale inter-state movement, particularly from Jharkhand and West Bengal, with some elephants also migrating from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh into Odisha. He said in Rourkela circle, elephants traditionally migrate from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to Rourkela, Keonjhar and Sundargarh divisions. Permanent presence of 462 elephants in Rourkela and 144 jumbos in Sambalpur circle highlights the critical importance of safeguarding Odishas elephant habitats and migration corridors. Stress was laid on preservation and protection of Odishas 14 traditional elephant corridors including the four inter-state ones covering Odisha and Jharkhand. Among others, PCCF (Wildlife), Odisha Prem Kumar Jha and senior forest officials of Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Sambalpur and Rourkela circles attended the meet.
Stones pelted at Vande Bharat train in Sundargarh
ROURKELA: Unidentified miscreants allegedly pelted stones at Rourkela-Puri Vande Bharat Express train in Sundargarh district, damaging windowpanes of berths 53 and 54 of coach C5 on Wednesday. The incident took place at around 1.07 pm between Kansbahal and Kalunga railway stations near Rourkela under Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway (SER). Sources said panic gripped passengers after stones started to rain from both sides of the train all of a sudden. However, none was injured in the incident. On reaching Rourkela, passengers informed the SER authorities about the stone pelting following which personnel of Railway Protection Force visited the site for inquiry. In the past too, miscreants had indulged in similar stone pelting in different areas of Chakradharpur Division inhabited by members of a particular community. Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway has revised the service schedule of 20835/20836 Rourkela-Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express to improve passenger convenience. Currently, the train operates daily except Saturday. But as per the revised schedule effective from June 3, the train would run on all days except Tuesday. There will be no change in the Vande Bharat trains timings and stoppages at designated stations.
RSCL approves three new projects for Rourkela
ROURKELA: The Rourkela Smart City Ltd (RSCL) has approved three new projects including construction of another storm water drain, redevelopment of the existing bus terminal and development of the TISCO site. Chairing the 29th meeting of the Board of Directors of RSCL in presence of Housing and Urban Development department secretary Usha Padhee at Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, development commissioner Anu Garg reviewed the progress of ongoing development projects in Rourkela and approved the new ones. The meeting was informed that the integrated command and control centre (ICC) and the tribal museum under the Rourkela One project would be completed by June. The Rourkela One project is running at least two years behind schedule. Progress of the ongoing recreational park project at Koel Nagar was also reviewed with instruction to complete it without further delay. Discussion also took place regarding development of the famous Vedavyas Peetha. Additionally, the meeting approved construction of a new storm water drainage system to remove water-logging issues during monsoon in and around Dayanand Nagar, PK Das Colony, Burutola and Jagannath Colony in Rourkela city. Reliable sources informed that by end of 2022, RSCL had completed construction of 11 storm water drains at a combined cost of about Rs 110 crore. However, water-logging problem still persists in most of the affected residential pockets of the city. The demand for redevelopment of the dilapidated and congested new bus stand near Bisra chowk is as old as 12 years. Sources said in view of the FIH Mens Hockey World Cup in January 2023, construction of a new and spacious bus terminal was mooted at another location. However, the RSCL neither approved the proposal nor took measures to develop the existing bus stand. The meeting also approved the plan for developing a deep quarry pit at the erstwhile TISCO Colony near Panposh Sports Hostel into a recreational facility called TISCO pond. Approval was given for renovation of the pond, beautification of its surrounding areas and addition of new features including forest trail, foot-over-bridge and a food court to transform the site into a tourist attraction. It was also decided to set up a dedicated market place at the TISCO site to accommodate about 400 roadside vendors, especially vegetable sellers who occupy the approach road to Chhend Colony and Kalinga Vihar on Friday causing massive traffic snarls. RSCL chief executive officer Ashutosh Kulkarni attended the meeting.
Odisha: Authorities recover decomposed body of newborn in Sundargarh
Rourkela: The decomposed body of a newborn girl with stray dogs roaming near it was found in Odishas Sundargarh district Wednesday morning, police said. After witnessing the disturbing scene of dogs eating the body of the newborn, locals informed the Sundargarh town police, which reached the spot, sent the body for post-mortem and began an []
Miscreants hurl stones at Vande Bharat Express in Sundergarh, Odisha
Rourkela: Unidentified miscreants hurled stones at a Vande Bharat Express en route to Rourkela from Puri in Odisha, damaging the window panes of a coach, officials said Wednesday. No passengers were injured in the incident, they said. The train was pelted with stones near Kalunga village, around 5 km from Rourkela station in the Sundergarh []
Workers demand rakes at railway sidings, paralyse transportation of iron ore
ROURKELA: Protesting the lack of adequate railway rakes at sidings, thousands of workers under the banner of CITU paralysed rail transportation of iron ores in Koida Mining Circle (KMC) of Sundargarh district on Tuesday. Led by Bonai MLA of CPM Laxman Munda, the agitators closed all the six railway sidings in Koida demanding availability of adequate rakes. While Munda and senior Left trade union leaders staged protest at Bimlagarh railway siding, other CITU activists took charge of the sidings at Roxy, Renjda, Patasahi, Barsuan and Chandiposh. Due to the protest, transportation of iron ores through Rourkela-Barsuan route of South Eastern Railway (SER) remained fully disrupted on the day. The Rourkela-Barsuan railway route is chiefly used for transportation of iron ores and other minerals from KMC and nearby connected mines. The MLA claimed around 15,000 workers engaged in loading and unloading at the six sidings have been rendered jobless due to unavailability of railway rakes. The situation has worsened in the past one year with the SER diverting almost all railway rakes to coal mining areas for priority transportation of coal. Munda further said the SER should provide at least seven rail rakes daily to each of the six sidings so that the workers engaged on daily wage basis earn enough to sustain their families. Normalcy restored in the evening after SER authorities in presence of district officials and police assured to provide adequate railway rakes for bulk transportation of iron ores and other minerals from KMC. CITU national vice-president Bishnu Mohanty said if the SER fails to keep its word, the workers would intensify the agitation. On October 22 last year, thousands of agitating workers led by CITU had forcefully entered the office of Segasahi iron mines of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd in KMC over various demands including jobs to locals. Similarly on January 10 this year, workers led by CITU had ransacked the mining office of JSW at Narayanposh in Koida.
12-year-old charred to death in Durga puja mandap fire
ROURKELA: In a tragic incident, a 12-year-old boy was charred to death after a fire broke out in the enclosure of a Durga puja mandap at Telephone Bhawan within Sector 7 police limits here on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Badal Maharana of the nearby Bangali Basti of Sector 6. Sources said bamboos, clothes and other decorative items were stored at the Durga puja mandap which has an enclosure made of 12 feet height iron grills from all sides with a tin roof. Badal along with three of his friends entered the mandap through the gap between the tin roof and the grills. At around 2 pm, the items stored inside the enclosure suddenly caught fire. While the three children managed to escape, Badal failed to scale the iron grills. He got trapped inside and was burnt alive. As the mandap is located along the busy ring road, locals immediately noticed the fire and raised an alarm. Within no time, police and fire services personnel rushed to the spot. But by the time, the fire was extinguished and the grill gate opened, the boy was already charred to death. Additional SP PS Nayak said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and it appears to be an accidental death. Preliminary investigation revealed that children of the nearby slum frequently entered the mandap to play and and spend their leisure time. The three other children have gone into hiding in panic after surviving the fire. After counselling, they would be questioned to ascertain the cause of the fire and and the circumstances leading to the mishap, he said. An unnatural death case has been registered in Sector 7 police station and the deceaseds body will be sent to the hospital for autopsy, Nayak added.
Incomplete STPI centre stalls local job growth in Rourkela
Rourkela: The lack of local employment opportunities in Rourkela continues to force skilled graduates of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) and several private engineering and vocational colleges located in Steel City to seek jobs outside Odisha. A proposed incubation centre at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Rourkela campus was expected to boost []
Three killed, two hurt as truck rams into roadside tea stall
ROURKELA: A speeding iron ore-laden truck rammed into a roadside tea stall along NH-520 in Sundargarh district, killing three persons and injuring two others on Sunday evening. The tragic mishap took place at around 7 pm near Jamdihi toll gate within K Balang police limits in Bonai sub-division, around 80 km from Rourkela. The deceased were identified as Sambhari Mundary (29), the woman tea stall owner, and her two customers, Arun Kumar Ravi (29) and Jitendra Dhruwa (42). A 14-year-old girl Sunita Munda suffered grievous injuries after being trapped under the iron ore. Sambharis husband Ranjit Chakravartory also sustained minor injuries in the mishap. Sources said the truck was in high speed and its driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp turn. The truck rammed into the roadside tea stall before turning turtle. Sambhari and her two customers were crushed to death instantly. Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani said a heavy vehicle erratically parked near the mishap site prevented the view of the approaching iron ore-laden truck at the sharp turn leading to the mishap. On being informed, local police rushed to the spot. The ill-fated truck was removed using a hydraulic crane while the injured persons were admitted to Bonai sub-divisional hospital. The errant truck driver Poresh Bankira (54) was also arrested. Wadhwani said, The truck involved in the mishap was seized and its driver arrested. The wrongly-parked truck was also seized. A case has been registered against its owner to create deterrence against the practice of dangerous and wrongful parking. Police registered a case under sections 281, 106 (1), 125 (a) and 125 (b) of BNS and sent the bodies for autopsy on Monday. Condition of the minor girl and the other injured person is stable.
MKCG MCH emerges countrys ragging hotspot
BHUBANESWAR : The MKCG medical college and hospital (MKCG MCH) at Berhampur tops the list of medical colleges in the country that witness the maximum number of ragging complaints. So does Berhampur University among public universities and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) in Rourkela when it comes to technical universities. An analysis of ragging complaints registered between 2022 and 2024 at the UGCs National Anti-Ragging Helpline, published by the Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) on Monday, revealed that educational institutions in Odisha continue to report a majority of ragging cases in the country, be it in general or technical education fields. The State of Ragging in India 2022-24 states that MKCG MCH, among the medical colleges, has become a hotspot of ragging. Among 12 MCHs across the country that saw filing of a significant number of complaints, MKCG topped the list with 25 complaints lodged in three years ending December 2024. It was followed by Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College at Raipur (15 complaints), Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences at Bihar (14), Takmeel-Ut-Tib College & Hospital at Uttar Pradesh (12) and Maulana Azad Medical College at New Delhi (11). BPUT, which is the largest technical university in the state, comes fourth in the list of top-5 technical universities with most complaints. It has reported 28 complaints with the helpline while Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology in Kolkata tops the list with 74 complaints. Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology at Burla saw eight ragging cases in this period. When it comes to technical colleges, be it engineering or polytechnic, Odishas Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology at Sarang (Dhenkanal) comes second in this list with 22 complaints. Similarly, Berhampur University is among the top universities with 31 complaints. Within this period, the state also saw three alleged ragging deaths. In over a decade, the anti-ragging helpline has logged over 8,000 complaints and among the states that reported a majority of them is Odisha with 517 complaints. While the dean of MKCG MCH could not be reached for comments, a member of the anti-ragging squad of the institution said many of these cases are a result of infighting among students. We are following all the UGC guidelines to avoid ragging on our campus including strict action against the perpetrators of the crime. In December last year, an assistant professor and three senior residents were suspended for six months and in November, five MBBS students were expelled from the hostel for ragging, he said. Anti-ragging activist and vice-president of SAVE Gaurav Singhal said the above-mentioned complaints are just the ones registered with the helpline. In reality, there are a huge number of complaints that are registered directly in colleges and police which do not reflect in the anti-ragging helpline. Concerning Scenario MKCG has reported 25 ragging complaints in 3 years ending Dec 2024 BPUT 4th in the list of top-5 tech universities with most complaints Eight ragging cases reported from VSSUT, Burla during this period The state has seen three alleged ragging deaths in this period 517 ragging complaints reported from Odisha in over a decade
Odisha government invites airlines to boost Rourkela air link
ROURKELA: Amid erratic flight services by Alliance Air, the Commerce and Transport department has invited other airlines with the offer of incentives to operate on the existing Rourkela-Kolkata and Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda routes. In an advertisement notice on March 13, the department invited interested commercial airliners to operate scheduled flights on specified existing domestic round trip routes for enhanced air connectivity. The notice comes after the state government in October last year declared the New Destination Policy 2025 to facilitate establishment of air services to new destinations from airports in Odisha by providing viability gap funding (VGF)/incentives. The advertisement said for enhancement of air connectivity on certain existing routes, the Commerce and Transport department invites proposals from interested commercial airlines to operate scheduled flights (maximum seven flights per week) on domestic round trip routes. The maximum VGF/incentives provided for each route per trip would be as per the new policy. Accordingly, the interested parties would operate from the origination destinations of Rourkela to Kolkata and Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda. The interested airline operators have also been asked to submit applications for new destinations as per their assessment within the provision of the policy. Incidentally, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has appointed Alliance Air as the selected airline operator under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN for Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route. The airliner had introduced commercial flight operation to Rourkela from January 7, 2023 with its single ATR-72 aircraft positioned at Kolkata base station. Sources said the ATR-72 aircraft from Kolkata faces a hectic flight schedule daily as it covers the Northeast states along with West Bengal and Odisha. Recently, it started flight services between Rourkela and Kolkata thrice a week with adjustment of its flight routes. However, due to the constraint of operating with a single ATR-72 aircraft along with visibility issues at Rourkela, flights are getting cancelled frequently on short notice leaving fliers in the lurch. President of Sachetan Nagarik Manch Bimal Bisi welcomed the Odisha governments initiative to invite other airline operators for Rourkela-Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda routes. The government has also urged the MoCA to insist on Alliance Air to improve its operations on these routes.
Youth hacks aunt, grandmother to death over trivial quarrel in Odisha's Rourkela
ROURKELA: A 23-year-old youth brutally hacked his aunt and her mother to death over a petty quarrel at Tumulia village within Hemgir police limits in Sundargarh district on Saturday evening. Police identified the deceased as Bilasini Suir (40) and her mother Rukmani Bhainsal (60). The accused, Ratnakar Suir alias Rinku, has been arrested. Sources said Bilasini, a widow, and Ratnakar lived in adjacent houses and had a strained relationship. They often used to quarrel over petty domestic issues. At around 4 pm on Saturday, Bilasini and her mother were on way home carrying drinking water in pots when they encountered Ratnakar in front of their house. Since both were at loggerheads, Ratnakar and Bilisani picked up a fight instantly over some comment. When they started to badmouth each other, the fight turned into a fierce altercation. In a fit of rage, the accused picked up an axe from his house and brutally attacked Bilasini and her mother. The duo was killed on the spot. When neighbours and villagers heard Ratnakar and Bilisani quarrelling, they took the matter lightly as it was a regular affair with the the duo. But on hearing the women scream, they rushed to the spot and found Bilasini and Rukmani lying in pools of blood. On being informed, police reached Tumulia village for investigation. Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Sundargarh Nirmal Mohapatra said with the help of scientific team, bodies of the deceased were recovered and sent to the hospital for autopsy on Sunday. The accused youth was arrested and the weapon used in the crime seized from him. Attributing the crime to a prolonged family dispute between the accused and the deceased women, the SDPO said before the ghastly murders, Ratnakar had a fierce quarrel with Bilasini over a trivial domestic issue. Rukmani hailed from nearby Sadar area and was staying with her widow daughter. Basing on the complaint of Bilasinis 14-year-old son, a murder case was registered. The accused was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is underway, he added.
Fake mobil manufacturing unit busted; two held
Rourkela: The Birsa police unearthed a fake mobil manufacturing unit running at Zeenat Colony in Rourkela, and confiscated several thousand litres of duplicate lubricants during the raid, Sunday. DSP Ambit Mohanty said two persons Abdul Mana and Md Biraz have so far been arrested for running the fake business, while 4000 litres of []
Odisha government to set up complexes for urban waste management
BHUBANESWAR: With urban waste management posing a big challenge, the Housing and Urban Development department is planning to set up integrated waste processing complexes in the major cities and towns to effectively tackle the menace. The state generates about 1,847 tonne per day (TPD) solid waste apart from hundreds of tonnes of wet waste. Further, it has 83 large dump sites spread across the urban areas where around 24 lakh tonne of legacy waste are yet to be remediated. Considering the large-scale generation of waste, Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra has asked department authorities to look into the establishment of integrated waste processing complexes in municipal corporations and larger municipalities. These complexes will have all types of processing plants including compressed biogas (CBG) plants for easy disposal of waste and reduction of transportation and infrastructure costs. The minister has also directed the officials to expedite the process of CBG plant establishment in five municipal corporations of Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur and Rourkela along with the Puri-Konark and Boudhgarh-Sonepur clusters. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has been instructed to expedite the processing and clearing the accumulated garbage at temporary transit station near Sainik School and also operationalise the mega waste processing centre at Palasuni. The civic body will also take up renovation and refurbishment of all non-functioning toilets and e-toilets under its jurisdiction on priority. A decision was also taken to develop a digital application for sanitation monitoring in all municipal corporations and municipalities in line with the Safa app of BMC. Mahapatra also recommended integrating all such applications with the Sujog platform of the H&UD department for effective monitoring of the projects and works at the department level.
Woman found charred to death in Sundargarh
ROURKELA: A 28-year-old woman was found charred to death under mysterious circumstances near Kumbhardar nullah at Raikelaposh village within Lahunipada police limits in Sundargarh district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Phulmani Munda. The woman was missing since Wednesday afternoon. Lahunipada IIC Suraj Jhankar said Munda was last seen heading towards her home at around 3 pm on Wednesday. Villagers spotted the womans half-burnt body and informed police. There were burn injuries on her legs, hands and other parts of body. Prima facie, it appears that the woman tried to save herself by running towards water but collapsed on way. Her half-burnt nightie was found nearby. It seems after her dress caught fire, she removed it to save herself, said Jhankar. Sources said there was evidence of a forest fire with burning of dry leaves. But it was not clear if Munda died due to accidental fire or some foul play was involved. Police along with a scientific team and executive magistrate seized the body and sent it for autopsy. The IIC said investigation is underway from all angles and possibility of accidental death due to fire cannot be fully ruled out. Autopsy report is awaited to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Youth found dead in pond, kin cry foul
KENDRAPARA: Mystery shrouds the death of a 23-year-old youth whose body was recovered from a pond in Kutaranga village within Nikirai police limits here on Wednesday evening. The deceased was identified as Chandan Kumar Swain (23) of Kutaranga. Chandan recently qualified for the constable post in the Police department and was supposed to join the IRB Battalion at Rourkela in a couple of days. Sources said Holi was celebrated in the area on Wednesday. Chandan took part in the celebration and also reportedly threw a party for the village youths over his government job. Subsequently, the youth and his friends went to the village pond to take bath during which he reportedly drowned. Locals said Chandan might have been intoxicated due to which he accidently slipped into deep water while bathing and drowned. Theres a deep pit just at the ponds entry point. The mishap took place as Chandan stepped into the pit, said villager Pravat Swain. However, the deceaseds family members alleged that Chandan was poisoned by his friends out of jealousy over his new job. Some of the village youths were envious of our son after he got the government job. They might have laced his food with poison during the party and after his death, dumped his body in the pond, claimed Chandans mother Sabita. She also said her son was a good swimmer. IIC of Nikirai police station Padmalaya Pradhan said the deceaseds body was sent to the district headquarters hospital for postmortem. A case of unnatural death has been registered and the exact reason behind the youths death will be ascertained after the autopsy report arrives, he added.
Ray meets PM, seeks new rail division at Rourkela
ROURKELA: Senior BJP leader Dilip Ray on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought his intervention for creation of a new railway division at Rourkela. The former union minister also urged the PM for an expeditious expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) of SAIL and Rourkela airport. Taking to X, Ray wrote, Had a fruitful meeting and discussion with Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji today, where I raised three key developmental issues concerning Rourkela and Odisha. Along with submitting formal letters, I had the opportunity to personally emphasise the urgency and importance of these demands for the regions progress. About establishment of a new railway division at Rourkela under the East Coast Railway (ECoR), Ray said the steel city in Sundargarh and its surrounding districts contribute significantly to railway revenue, yet the region remains underserved in terms of infrastructure and passenger services. I urged the PM to take immediate steps to create a dedicated railway division, ensuring better administration, improved connectivity and balanced development for Odishas mineral belt, he said. Ray further said the long-pending `30,000 crore expansion plan of the steel plant has been stalled due to land acquisition hurdles. I discussed the need for swift resolution so that the plant can double its capacity, create thousands of jobs and strengthen Indias self-reliance in steel production. With the BJP-led government in Odisha, this is the ideal time to remove roadblocks and move forward. For upgradation and expansion of Rourkela airport, he said, Despite being a major industrial, educational and sporting hub, Rourkela still lacks a fully functional airport. I highlighted the need to upgrade the airport to 4C category, extend the runway, install night landing facilities, and bring in more airline operators to ensure reliable air connectivity. Additionally, I requested for urgent transfer of airport ownership from SAIL to Airports Authority of India (AAI) for better management and long-term development. Ray said the PM gave a patient hearing and assured that these concerns would be looked into at the highest level.
Farmers demand maintenance of Pitamahal dam in Odisha
ROURKELA: Farmers depending on Pitamahal dam on Wednesday staged protest seeking immediate steps for the removal of encroachments and proper maintenance of the medium irrigation project in Lathikata block of rain-fed Sundargarh district. Farmers from Lungei, Kalunga A and B, Balanda, Chikatmati and Jhartarang panchayats under the aegis of Akhil Bharat Krushak Sabha (ABKS) staged a demonstration in front of the office of the medium irrigation SDO at Kalunga. They alleged that due to operation of numerous stone quarries in the close vicinity, the existence of the mid-size irrigation reservoir is under threat. During rainy season, silt and residuals of crushed stones are getting deposited in the dam to reduce its water-holding capacity. The agitators claimed the main canal system has been damaged at many places. It remains clogged in the absence of regular maintenance. They said distributaries of the main canal at Beldihi and Vedvyas have been encroached with boundary walls by two separate industries to restrict flow of water. They further claimed major portion of the sub-canal system at various places in Kalunga industrial estate and its vicinity have stopped to exist due to encroachment by private industries and individuals. The encroachers have built roads and concrete structures on the minor canals to permanently block water flow to the tail ends. Local authorities of the Water Resources department are aware of the ground realities but feign ignorance as farmers continue to suffer. These issues have been brought to the notice of the government several times in the past but to no avail, said president of ABKS Dasaru Kisan. He said a memorandum has also been submitted to the superintending engineer of Pitamahal medium irrigation project through Kalunga-based SDO Prativa Majhi in this regard. The agitators demanded immediate closure of all stone quarries and crusher units around the dam, removal of silt from the dam bed, repair of the damaged canal system and restoration of the minor canals. For the kharif season, the Pitamahal irrigation project has designed ayacut area of 2,630 hectare.
ISRO chief inaugurates space technology incubation centre at NIT Rourkela
ROURKELA: ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan on Wednesday inaugurated the new Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC) at the National Institute of Technology-Rourkela on Wednesday. Addressing the event virtually as the chief guest, Dr Narayanan said, This is a momentous occasion as we are inaugurating the STIC facility at NIT-Rourkela and also celebrating the return of Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts after their remarkable mission aboard the International Space Station. He highlighted ISROs Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5 and the ambitious Gaganyaan missions to send Indian astronauts into space. The success of Indias space programme is a collective effort, involving ISRO team, industrial partners and academia including institutes like IITs and NITs. With 20 departments, outstanding faculty and excellent infrastructure, NIT-Rourkela is an ideal place for a centre focused on space research. I urge students to embrace the opportunities at STIC and play a key role in shaping Indias future in space exploration. Director of the Capacity Building Programme Office (CPBO) at ISRO G Harikrishnan said STIC is designed to strengthen the academic foundation, develop high-quality human resources and build infrastructure at academic institutions to support the Indian space programme. To facilitate this, an MoU between ISRO and NIT-Rourkela was signed four years ago. Since then, eight projects with a total value of approximately Rs 1.7 crore, have been underway. I firmly believe that the new STIC facility will further expand the institutes horizons, enabling the launch of more space technology projects, he added. Scientific secretary to ISRO M Ganesh Pillai emphasised the importance of nurturing young talents and collaboration between academia and industry to advance space technology research. NIT-R director Prof K Umamaheshwar Rao also spoke on the occasion. The STIC at NIT-Rourkela acts as the hub for the eastern region covering Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The STIC initiative is coordinated by ISROs CBPO, which oversees activities related to incubation centres across the country.
Ongoing new line projects to ease rail traffic congestion through Odisha's Rourkela
ROURKELA: In a bid to ease congestion through Rourkela junction on the busy Howrah-Mumbai main line, the South Eastern Railway (SER) has been expeditiously executing the fourth and fifth line projects between Panposh and Bondamunda. Inspecting the ongoing projects and railway facilities at Rourkela and nearby regions on Monday, Kolkata-based SER general manager Anil Kumar Mishra said almost 95 per cent work of the fourth line project between Rourkela and Bondamunda (about 10 km) has been completed and would be commissioned by March. As of now, 60 per cent work of the fifth line between Rourkela and Bondamunda has been completed. A target has been set to complete it by December. Mishra said Rourkela is an important junction station of the SER and multiple infrastructure projects have been sanctioned before. Accordingly, works are being executed to provide better facilities and services to the public. The third line already exists between Rourkela and Panposh (5.5 km) and work on the fourth line is underway in full swing with a target to complete it by December. The SER GM further said in the neighbourhood of Rourkela, work would soon start on two new rail lines towards Bondamunda and one towards Panposh. After completion of these projects, congestion on the route would ease to eventually improve movement and punctuality of passenger and freight trains through Rourkela. Incidentally, about 170 trains, mostly goods, pass through Rourkela daily. In the wake of huge rail traffic congestion on the route for the past couple of years, almost all passenger trains are inevitably facing hours of delay due to detention to allow passage to good trains. Mishra informed that work on a new flyover project at Rourkela would start soon. The SER has asked the executing agency to complete the project in 12 months and open it for public by April 2026. Bondamunda unit secretary of SER Mens Congress D Chandrasekhar Rao said the GMs focus on expeditious implementation of railway infrastructure projects and frequent visits to Rourkela and nearby regions have drastically improved the pace of works. In the last three months the GM has visited the region at least three times, he added.
ROURKELA: A 14-year-old boy is battling for life after being allegedly set afire by his father and stepmother while sleeping at Talbahali within Lahunipada police limits in Sundargarh district. The minor, identified as Dasarath Bhumij, has been admitted to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) and his condition is critical. The shocking incident took place at Talbahali, around 85 km from Rourkela, in the wee hours of March 15. Sources said Dasarath was staying with his father Samra Bhumij (40) and stepmother Ramadei (35). At around 2 am on Saturday, Samra reportedly locked the door of his sons room from outside and set the room on fire after dousing it with petrol. When the fire reached the minor, he woke up but failed to escape as the door was locked from outside. Using his mobile phone, he desperately asked for help from his friends. By the time Dasarath was rescued, he had sustained critical burn injuries. The boy was rushed to the nearby hospital and later shifted to RGH as he had suffered critical burn injuries. Samra and his wife escaped after the incident. However, angry villagers found Samra and severely thrashed him for his act. Samra suffered injuries in the assault and is undergoing treatment in the hospital. IIC of Lahunipada police station Suraj Jhankar said preliminary investigation revealed that Samra had a fierce quarrel with his son after he objected to the boys excessive use of mobile phone. When the boy reacted angrily, Samra became furious and took the drastic step. Probe is underway to ascertain the role of the boys stepmother in the crime. Appropriate action would be taken against the accused on completion of investigation, the IIC added.
Bus overturns after collision with motorcycle in Sundargarh, three dead, 35 injured
ROURKELA: Three persons were killed and 35 others suffered injuries when a passenger bus overturned after hitting a motorcycle near Tangarmunda within Sadar police limits in Sundargarh district on Thursday afternoon. Police identified the deceased as bus passengers Barish Nag (21) and Biswa Dandasena (52) besides Biswajit Topno (28), the motorcyclist. Sources said the bus was on way to Sundargarh from Kinjirkela when its driver hit Biswajits motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. After hitting the bike, the driver lost control and ended up overturning the bus into a roadside gorge. On being informed, police and fire services personnel rushed to the spot. With the help of locals, they rescued the passengers from the bus. Sundargarh sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Nirmal Mohapatra said Barish, a technical student, was killed on the spot. Biswa was shifted to JP Hospital at Rourkela where he died. Similarly, Biswajit also succumbed to injuries at Sundargah government medical college and hospital (SGMCH) during treatment. The SDPO further said 34 injured passengers have been admitted to SGMCH and the district headquarters hospital. One was admitted to JP Hospital.
Man arrested for wifes murder in Rourkela
Jharkhand criminal hurt in gunfight with Rourkela police, nabbed along with aide
ROURKELA: A hardcore criminal of Jharkhand was injured during an encounter with Rourkela police before being arrested with his accomplice from the bordering Bisra block of Sundargarh district in the wee hours of Wednesday. Police identified the criminal as 32-year-old Biyes Lakhua and his accomplice Amit Topno (30) of Anandpur in adjacent Jharkhand. DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai and Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani said at around 3 am, police received credible intelligence about movement of the criminal duo in Bisra area in a white SUV with a firearm. It was immediately ascertained that both were fugitives and wanted in a criminal case of 2023 by Rourkela police. Police launched a search and spotted a white SUV with Jharkhand registration number near Akshayasila waterfall. The DIG said police tried to intercept the vehicle and issued warning but the criminals did not pay any heed and opened fire. In retaliation, police resorted to controlled firing in which Lakhua suffered bullet injury in his leg. While Lakhua was arrested, his crime partner managed to escape from the scene. However, Topno was later nabbed after a brief chase. Police sources said two rounds each were fired from both sides. The SP said one country-made 9 mm pistol, magazine, four empty bullet cases and two mobile phones were recovered from the encounter spot. Lakhua was involved in several heinous crimes including murder for extortion, attempt to murder, illegal firearm trade and other such activities. Wadhwani said so far, police have established two criminal cases each in Bisra police station of Sundargarh along with Anandpur and Manoharpur police stations of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand against Lakhua. Verification of his involvement in other cases is underway. Similarly, Topno has one criminal case in Bisra police station and two in Anandpur police station. Other criminal antecedents of both the arrested persons are being checked, he added.
13-year-old gives birth after rape by step-dad in Rourkela
ROURKELA: In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old girl reportedly gave birth to a baby at Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) after being repeatedly raped by her stepfather. The incident took place in the intervening night of February 22-23 but came to light after some local social activists confronted the accused, 40-year-old Ram Prasad Mishra, and thrashed him on Tuesday. When news of the incident came out, police swung into action and admitted the girl to the one-stop centre Sakhi at RGH on Tuesday night. After counselling the minor, the centre administrator of Sakhi lodged a complaint with police on Wednesday. Mishra, who runs a fast food stall at Bisra square, has been detained by Sector 7 police. Sources said the girls mother and Mishra belong to Ganjam district. After becoming estranged from her husband, the girls mother reportedly remarried Mishra. She and her daughter started to stay with him at Golghar slum in Sector 5 where the accused sexually abused the child over a period of time. When the girl reached the advanced stage of pregnancy, her mother brought her to RGH where she gave birth to a baby girl. The minor mother and her baby were soon discharged under dubious circumstances. Another woman namely Kusum reportedly took custody of the baby and the matter was hushed up. Nurses on duty at RGH on the fateful night claimed that the beat house of RN Pali police station on the hospital campus was informed about the incident. However, police denied receiving any information in this regard. While RGH director Dr Manoj Upadhyay did not respond to repeated calls, DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai said a case under section 65 (1) of BNS and section 6 of POCSO Act was registered in Sector 7 police station. The accused has been detained and is being questioned. Investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances under which the girl after giving birth was discharged from the hospital and if the police station concerned was informed about the incident. Strict action would be taken for lapses, if any, he said. Meanwhile on Wednesday, the newborn baby was rescued by the Childline from the custody of the woman at Sector 7. The baby has been admitted to the Women and Child Development departments newborn centre at Bisra for necessary care.
NIT Rourkela Software Engineer Recruitment 2025 - Apply Offline
National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has Recruits 02 Software Engineer Posts. Candidates with B.Tech/B.E, M.Sc, MCA Can Apply on or before 14-03-2025.
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.
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
Tamil Nadu Dragons beat Hyderabd Toofans 4-3 in shoot-out in mens HIL
ROURKELA, Jan 23: Tamil Nadu Dragons edged past Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in shoot-out to climb to the top of the Mens Hockey India League table here on Thursday. This was after both the teams were locked 2-2 at the end of regulation time. In the regulation 60 minutes, Tim Brand (3rd minute) scored from a field effort while Maico Casella converted a penalty corner in the 59th minute for Hyderabad Toofans. Australian Blake Govers scored from a field strike [] The post Tamil Nadu Dragons beat Hyderabd Toofans 4-3 in shoot-out in mens HIL appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
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, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand to Drive India's Economic Growth by 2047: CM Majhi
Bhubaneswar : The mineral-rich states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand will play a pivotal role in driving Indias economic growth and achieving the dream of a developed nation by 2047, said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the 3rd National Mines Ministers Conference held in Konark on Monday. Highlighting the significance of the event, Majhi said it was fitting for Odisha, one of the country's richest mineral-bearing states, to host the conference. He emphasised the region's contribution to Indias economy, noting that the three states supply over two-thirds of the countrys demand for base metals. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly referred to Eastern India as Purvadoya. To fulfill his vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Odisha will play a crucial role, alongside Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, in fueling the nations growth, Majhi stated. The Chief Minister stressed the need for sustainable mining practices to preserve finite natural resources. He called for a shift from export-led mining to consumption-driven mining while minimizing environmental impact. It is our responsibility to ensure that development and environmental protection go hand in hand. Odisha is committed to adopting greener and cleaner technologies, he added. Majhi highlighted Odishas emergence as a steel production hub, now accounting for over 25 per cent of Indias total steel output. The state is home to more than 36 major steel plants, a significant increase from the single steel plant in Rourkela decades ago. With ambitious plans and favorable policies, Odishas steel output is projected to grow substantially by 2030. Since his government took office seven months ago, Majhi said, transformative steps have been taken to create a business-friendly environment. Initiatives such as a simplified industrial policy, single-window approvals, and fast-tracking permissions have already attracted significant investments, including the signing of eight MoUs with leading industrial houses. Majhi also revealed promising news of potential lithium reserves in Odisha, which could benefit the e-battery industry. Odisha, already rich in coal and other minerals, is poised to contribute to Indias clean energy goals. He praised the Modi governments efforts in renewable energy, with India surpassing 200 GW of non-fossil energy capacity and progressing toward the 2030 target of 500 GW. The Chief Minister underlined the importance of research and development in mining, calling for the adoption of modern technologies like drones and artificial intelligence to reduce costs and enhance environmental conservation. Majhi expressed concern about the lack of benefits reaching people living around mining areas and emphasized the need for inclusive growth. It is our duty to ensure that those residing in mining areas benefit from development. Collaborative governance and effective implementation of welfare initiatives are crucial, he said. As Odisha gears up for the Utkarsh Odisha Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, Majhi extended an invitation to industry leaders to invest in the state. He reiterated Odishas commitment to becoming a global leader in the mining sector through sustainable practices, advanced technology, and responsible resource utilization. Majhi expressed confidence in achieving the ambitious target of transforming Odisha into Samruddha Odisha by 2036, coinciding with the states centenary celebration. Indias growth is the sum total of its states' progress. Together, we can fuel a stronger, greener, and more prosperous India, he said. The conference witnessed the participation of Union minister of coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy, deputy chief ministers of Chhattisgarh and Telangana, mines ministers from 11 states, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders from the mining sector.
Three workers die in Odisha cement plant collapse
Bhubaneswar: The bodies of three missing labourers were on Saturday recovered from the debris of a collapsed iron structure on the premises of a cement plant in Odisha's Sundergarh district, after a 36-hour rescue operation, police said. The deceased have been identified as Susanta Rout (58), Ranjit Bhol (24) and Dashrath Patra (42), who were engaged by a contractor at the captive power plant in Rajgangpur, they said. The workers were trapped after a coal hopper a big iron structure used for storing large quantities of coal collapsed on Thursday evening, said Brijesh Kumar Rai, DIG, Western Range (Rourkela). The coal hopper was operated by a third-party vendor engaged by Dalmia Cement, the company had earlier said in a statement. Over 60 other workers were safely rescued on the day of the accident, officials said. Personnel of the fire service department, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and local police teams carried out the rescue operation. Further investigation is underway.
India men, womens hockey teams begin season with Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar next month
BHUBANESWAR, Jan 16: The Indian mens and womens hockey teams will commence their international assignments this year with the high-profile FIH Pro League matches here from February 15. The Indian mens team will face Spain, while their women counterparts will take on England on February 15 at the Kalinga Stadium. Most of the Indian mens and womens team players are currently playing in the Hockey India League (HIL) in Rourkela and Ranchi respectively. The Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro [] The post India men, womens hockey teams begin season with Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar next month appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Hockey: Hyderabad Toofans destroy Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in HIL
Rourkela: Hyderabad Toofans enjoyed a commanding win over the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers as they stormed to a 5-1 triumph (Gonzalo Peillat 6 & 30, Maico Casella 21, Tim Brand 47 and Arshdeep Singh 54) in the Mens Hockey India League (HIL) clash at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday, January 2024. The 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 .
HIL: Hyderabad Toofans overcome Soorma Hockey 4-3 in shoot-out
ROURKELA, Jan 11: Hyderabad Toofans scored a thrilling 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Soorma Hockey Club after the teams were locked in a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time in a Hockey India League match here on Saturday. Nicolas Della Torre (8th) gave Soorma Hockey Club the lead in the first quarter before Amandeep Lakra (40th) brought the Hyderabad Toofans back on level terms with a fierce drag flick. Hyderabad Toofans goalkeeper Dominic Dixsons heroics in sudden death [] The post HIL: Hyderabad Toofans overcome Soorma Hockey 4-3 in shoot-out appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers crush Delhi SG Pipers 4-1 in HIL
ROURKELA, Jan 4: Jugraj Singh scored a brace as Shachi Rarh Bengal Tigers defeated Delhi SG Pipers 4-1 and took the top spot in the points table of the Hockey India League here on Saturday. Delhi thus suffered their first outright defeat in the competition as they had earlier won one game in the penalty shootout and lost the second. Jugraj (17th, 38th) converted two penalty corners while Sukhjeet Singh (1st) and Abhishek (47th) struck from field play for [] The post Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers crush Delhi SG Pipers 4-1 in HIL appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
HIL propelled us to greater heights, same can be expected for womens team: Harmanpreet
Rourkela, Dec 26: India mens team skipper Harmanpreet Singh believes the womens national side will benefit from the Hockey India League like it benefitted his set of players, putting them on the path of regaining Olympic glory. While the mens competition will have eight teams, six sides will feature in womens event which is being held for the first time. The Indian mens hockey team won back-to-back Olympic medals after a hiatus of 50 years. The impact of the HIL [] The post HIL propelled us to greater heights, same can be expected for womens team: Harmanpreet appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
HIL returns to shape future of Indian hockey
The Hockey India League is back. It features both men's and women's competitions. The league aims to strengthen Indian hockey. Matches will be held in Rourkela and Ranchi. These cities are emerging hockey hubs. The league will provide opportunities for young players. It will also offer a platform for retired players. The league's timing is ideal given hockey's rising popularity.
2 killed as train hits motorcycles at closed crossing in Odisha
Rourkela: Two persons were killed as a train hit their motorcycles when they were trying to cross railway tracks in Odisha's Sundargarh district even as the level crossing was closed, police said on Wednesday. The incident happened near Kalunga around 9.30 pm on Tuesday when four persons were travelling on three motorcycles. They crossed the closed barrier with their motorcycles and were hit by the incoming train. While one of them died on the spot, another person died while undergoing treatment at the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), police said. One of the deceased was identified as Pankaj Sharma (34), a native of Himachal Pradesh, while the identity of the other deceased has not been established yet, they said. We heard that two other people were injured in the accident. However, we are yet to locate and identify them, a police officer said. The deceased persons were working at a private steel factory in Rourkela, he said. The three motorcycles were severely damaged in the accident, he added.
13 towns in Odisha record minimum temp below 10 degree Celsius
The minimum temperature at Rourkela was 5.7 degree Celsius followed by Similiguda in Koraput district at 7.2.
AI Technology Saves Elephants in Odisha from Train Collision
A small herd of elephants, including two adults and a calf, was saved from a potential train collision in Odisha's Rourkela district, thanks to an AI-powered camera system deployed by the forest department. The elephants were headed towards the railway tracks, where they could have been struck by an oncoming train. However, the timely use of AI technology helped avert the disaster. AI camera captures & zooms into the elephants approaching the railway line, sending alerts to the control room for stopping the train. We had solutions. Happy to see that the ones implemented are now giving results.These 4 cameras along the track was part of mitigation measures. pic.twitter.com/RBNe0hPOnl Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) December 8, 2024 Susanta Nanda, a retired Indian Forest Service officer, shared a video of the incident on X (formerly Twitter). The footage shows the AI camera zooming in on the elephants as they approached the tracks. The system immediately sent an alert to the control room, which then notified the train driver to stop the train in time. Nanda praised the effectiveness of the system, writing, AI camera captures & zooms into the elephants approaching the railway line, sending alerts to the control room for stopping the train. We had solutions. Happy to see that the ones implemented are now giving results. The AI cameras were part of a broader mitigation effort aimed at preventing wildlife-related accidents on railway tracks. Four such cameras were strategically installed along the route to monitor animal movement. This coordinated effort between the forest and railway departments ensured the safety of both wildlife and passengers.
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.
61 kg silver seized in Jharkhand, probe launched into GST evasion
ROURKELA: The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Rourkela uncovered a major haul of around 61 kg of silver from a man hailing from Jharkhand. The State GST authorities have initiated an inquiry into potential tax evasion following the seizure of the consignment. Based on its purity, the total value of the seized silver is estimated to range between 54 lakh and 61 lakh. Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of the GRP station, Reshma Ekka, stated that the discovery was made during routine search operations at Rourkela railway station on Wednesday around 9:30 am. The GRP team observed suspicious behaviour from a man waiting at the station with a trolley bag and a backpack. He was about to board the delayed Hatia-bound Tapaswini Express when the GRP team accosted him. Upon searching his luggage, the team found the silver contraband packed in small bundles, Ekka said. The suspect, identified as Chandan Soni (30) from Ranchi, Jharkhand, was taken into custody along with the contraband. Both were handed over to the State GST authorities for further investigation. Deputy Commissioner of SGST, Jagdish Saha, said on Thursday that preliminary investigations revealed Soni had brought approximately 51 kg of silver ornaments from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and also collected about 10 kg of silver in the form of bricks from Rourkela. There were no purchase documents for the bricks, Saha said. While the man claimed to have valid documents for the silver ornaments, he failed to produce them for the majority of the consignment procured from Agra. Saha added that verification of the available documents was ongoing to assess potential tax evasion. The seized silver is set to be deposited at the district treasury in Rourkela. It is understood that the State GST levies a 3 per cent tax on gold and silver.
