Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Thursday, 11 September 2025

Odisha government has intensified efforts to fast-track the Puri Master Plan, aiming to transform the holy town into a world-class heritage city. A high-level review meeting, chaired by Deputy CM Pravati Parida, outlined strict deadlines for projects like traffic decongestion, holy tank renovation, and servitor housing. Authorities emphasised timely execution and monitoring to meet development goals efficiently. More

In Odisha, a youth named Chandiprasad Mohapatra was arrested for creating a fake Instagram ID to defame a student leader. The case highlights the growing issue of cyber defamation, where manipulated digital content is used to damage reputations. The accused allegedly acted out of personal enmity, leading to a cybercrime investigation and subsequent legal action under the IT Act. More

Odisha’s government has launched a statewide crackdown on petrol pumps, jewellery shops, and other retailers over allegations of cheating consumers through tampered weighing machines. Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has called for intensive raids, legal action, and stricter monitoring. The move follows increasing public complaints and aims to enforce transparency. More

These places will get basic infrastructure for development of water sports, amusement parks, science parks and herbal gardens, besides parking spaces, jogging parks, selfie points, gyms, construction of bathing ghats and ‘aarti’ ghats, theme plazas, shopping complexes and floating jetty. More

After the video went viral on social media, the Sambalpur Regional Transport Office (RTO) took strict action against them. Besides the hefty fine, the couple has pledged not to repeat such dangerous behaviour in the future. More

Amid rising concerns over fertiliser shortages in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level review meeting to address the crisis. With the Rabi season approaching, state officials are working urgently to prevent black marketing, ensure fair distribution, and coordinate with central agencies. Farmers’ anxiety is mounting, but the government assures swift and transparent action to stabilise supply. More

Since August 2024, the positions of Chairman and members in Odisha Lokayukta have been lying vacant. This has led to complaints related to corruption remaining unresolved and stalled.  More

In a daring act of defiance, a group of sand mafia members in Odisha’s Nilagiri region of Balasore district ambushed police officers and hijacked a seized tractor at knifepoint. The violent incident, which endangered law enforcement and disrupted an ongoing crackdown on illegal sand mining, highlights the growing audacity of mafia operations and raises urgent concerns about regional law and order. More

The Minister informed that the stray cattle roaming the city will be accommodated in this facility. More

In the wake of evictions at Utkal University's Vani Vihar campus, dozens of families were left homeless after being removed from allegedly illegally occupied staff quarters. With no alternative shelter, many now live in distressing conditions under trees. The abrupt action has triggered public concern, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian support and questioning the legality of the move. More

In yet another jolt to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), former student leader Harishankar Rout has resigned from the party, launching a scathing attack on senior leader and former bureaucrat V.K. Pandian. More

In a moment of pride, five girl students from Ekalavya Model Residential School, Mahasingh, under Nuagaon block of Kandhamal district, were accorded the honour of meeting President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. More

In a rare outburst, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Prafulla Mallick has cautioned that he may quit the party if it ‘does not function in the right manner.’ His remarks are being viewed as an indirect warning to party president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. More

A Works Department engineer in Kalahandi district has alleged that he was assaulted and threatened with murder at gunpoint. He alleged that two contractor brothers and their associates threatened to kill him over a pending bill dispute. More

The State Transport Authority, Odisha, has initiated two authorized vehicle scrapping centres to provide a scientific and organised way of dismantling old and unfit vehicles. The centres are located at Govindpur in Khordha (Essar Prime Metals) and Kuakhia in Jajpur (Modern Traders). More

After eviction of illegal occupants from Utkal University hostels, authorities have now launched a similar drive to make government quarters free from encroachment at Vani Vihar campus in Bhubaneswar under Operation Blue Star on Thursday. More

The Odisha government has advised banks to start sending SMS alerts in Odia to make banking services and welfare benefits more accessible to people across the state.  More

A major park project in Rourkela has sparked controversy after missing deadlines and falling into disrepair even before opening. Built under the Smart City mission at Rs 23.59 crore, the park now faces allegations of corruption and poor execution. More

Odisha’s Angul town has once again earned national recognition for its efforts to improve air quality, securing the third position in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 under the category of cities with less than three lakh population.  More

The city’s public Wi-Fi project, Bhubaneswar Me, is set for a major expansion with plans to extend the service to universities, colleges, and busy public spaces after limited usage at existing hotspots. More

In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in housing programmes, the Odisha government has decided to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify ineligible beneficiaries of state and central housing schemes, said Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department minister, Rabi Narayan Naik on Wednesday. More

In a decisive push towards sustainable mobility, the Odisha government has unveiled the draft Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2025, setting ambitious targets to phase out fossil fuel-based vehicles from government operations and accelerate EV adoption across the state. More

In a major boost to railway connectivity in Odisha, the Central Government has announced that a new Amrit Bharat Train will soon run between Berhampur in Ganjam district and Surat in Gujarat. More

Mining major Vedanta has begun the process of acquiring land in Dhenkanal, Odisha, for setting up a massive 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) aluminium smelter, a top company executive confirmed on Wednesday. More

The project will cover nearly 800 acres of land across Gothapatna, Malipada, and Daspur, and is envisioned as a multi-economic growth zone aligned with the state’s long-term vision Vikshit Odisha 2036.  More

In a major setback for BJD, nearly 70 grassroots leaders including sarpanches and panchayat samiti members from Dharmasala block, Jajpur, joined BJP on Wednesday in presence of state president Manmohan Samal. The exodus signals declining BJD influence in the constituency once considered its bastion. More

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati visited a remote Bonda tribal hamlet in Malkangiri, urging enhanced support for PVTGs like Bonda and Didayi. More

According to reports, a group of eight hunters had entered the forests of the Podadiha Range within the Similipal Tiger Reserve for illegal hunting. Their movement was quickly picked up by AI cameras strategically placed inside the reserve, alerting forest officials. More

A delegation from the state has recently visited two other states to study their excise models. Based on their findings, Odisha’s new policy is being shaped, and the final draft is expected to be ready this month. More