Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Saturday, 20 September 2025

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to restrict mobile phone use for officials, police, and servitors inside the Puri temple. Guidelines will be issued, with strict action for violations, while devotees already face a mobile and camera ban. More

Additionally, the relocation of ornaments to Ratna Bhandar has been approved, further streamlining temple operations and security. More

Raising the issue in the Assembly, Opposition members questioned the government, to which the Chief Minister responded that the selection process would be completed soon. More

According to reports, a third-year LLB student allegedly assaulted a second-year student after the junior resisted ragging. The altercation has raised fears of student unrest at the university. More

Silence in society often fuels corruption, injustice, and abuse of power. This essay explores why people remain silent, the dangers of passivity, and how collective action, safe spaces, and civic courage can break the culture of silence and drive meaningful change. More

According to sources, although Shubhamitra and Deepak had registered their marriage in court, the accused was unwilling to go through the traditional wedding rituals. This disagreement often led to quarrels between the couple. More

To encourage eco-friendly practices, plastic ornaments on idols have been banned. Committees are urged to use leaf cups, plates, and other biodegradable materials for serving prasad. More

According to the Minister, the management committee has been suggested for the formation of a sub-committee under the chairmanship of the district Collector to implement the queue system of darshan effectively. More

The new railway line is expected to boost regional connectivity, strengthen local economies, support agricultural producers, and facilitate easier access to healthcare and education for residents. More

During his visit, DGP Khurania personally interacted with the injured jawan and inquired about the treatment being provided. He also discussed the necessary arrangements with hospital authorities and doctors to ensure that Majhi receives the best possible care. More

Luckily, the tourist was spotted by the lifeguards quickly and was rescued immediately thanks to their quick response. More

The Speaker adjourned the Assembly till Monday following repeated disruptions.  More

According to reports, a high-tension power line had snapped and fallen into an agricultural field. Unaware of the danger, the two cousins accidentally came in touch with the wire and were electrocuted instantly. More

The pressure was so intense that the stream of water covered the sky above, creating a surreal scene and sending panic among pedestrians and motorists. More

Addressing a press conference, senior BJD leaders Devi Mishra, Pramila Mallik, and Arun Sahoo said that elected representatives at the grassroots level are being stripped of their authority, undermining the spirit of decentralisation. More

The Bangriposhi–Bhubaneswar Superfast Express was forced to halt at Bhanjpur station during the agitation, leading to inconvenience for passengers. More

The Excise Department has already granted permission for the reopening. In addition, proposals have been put forward to open four new off-shop liquor outlets and three liquor manufacturing units.  More

Visitors at the ongoing International Trade Fair at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar are getting a taste of Dubai’s famous dessert, Baklava, which has quickly emerged as one of the fair’s biggest attractions. More

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (EOW) on Saturday arrested senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Dillip Nayak in connection with an alleged land fraud case involving Rs 12.42 crore. More

Odisha Vigilance on Saturday caught a staffer of the Rukura Irrigation Project in Bonai, Sundargarh district, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 7,000 from a tribal land loser for processing compensation. More

In a major crackdown on illegal firecracker manufacturing, police seized a massive cache of explosives and firecrackers from Ichhapur and Baradabari villages under Khandapada police limits in Nayagarh district on Saturday. More

An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Odisha Police was caught red-handed by Odisha Vigilance on Saturday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 from a complainant for releasing a motorcycle. More

The Odisha government has taken a significant decision to construct a new Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, aiming to overcome the longstanding challenges of space crunch and parking problems at the existing facility. More

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Women & Child Development Minister Pravati Parida informed the Assembly on Saturday that nearly 3,99,352 lakh beneficiaries were left out from receiving the third installment of the Subhadra Yojana. More

In a significant step to address the ever-growing traffic pressure between the Twin Cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the Odisha government has given the green signal for the construction of a second bridge at Trisulia. The project, aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity, will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 297 crore. More

The Odisha Assembly proceedings were washed out on Saturday, the third day of the monsoon session, amid opposition BJD's protest over the fertilizer crisis during the ongoing kharif season in the state. More

The body of taxi driver Vidyadhar Sahu was recovered from the Chandaka–Barang road on Saturday, days after he was reported missing. More

In a unique celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, Balanga Patna village in Puri district carried out idol immersion processions on beautifully decorated bullock carts, setting an example for the rest of Odisha. More

Allegations of large-scale illegal smuggling of Kendu leaves have surfaced in Bolangir district, raising serious concerns about the possible involvement of government officials in the illicit trade.  More

Durga Puja celebrations in Odisha may be affected this year as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted widespread rainfall across the state in the coming days.  More

Panic gripped parts of Keonjhar on Saturday after an elephant strayed into a human settlement from the nearby Daitari forest. The tusker was first spotted in Brahmanipal market early in the morning and later seen moving through the Tata colony, startling residents. On seeing the elephant, locals ran for safety, while the animal itself roamed restlessly across several areas. More

In a major boost to India’s maritime ambitions, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Odisha Maritime Board (OMB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a large-scale shipbuilding cluster in Odisha.  More

A shocking incident of armed robbery rocked Balasore district on Friday night after a jewellery trader was allegedly attacked with a machete and looted near his home. More

The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has rolled out a policy for the annual transfer and posting of officers and staff, in line with the General Administration Department rules. As per the rules framed, the transfers are scheduled to take place between April 15 and June 15 annually. More

A serious road accident took place near the Rasulgarh–Vani Vihar flyover in Bhubaneswar around midnight on Friday when two cars crashed head-on on a no-entry stretch of the route. More

George Tirkey, a veteran tribal leader and four-time legislator from Odisha, passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 67 and had been undergoing treatment for several months due to prolonged illness. More

The Orissa High Court has strongly criticised the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for declaring 72 Class XII students from two schools in Bargarh and Padampur guilty of using ‘unfair means’ during the 2025 board examinations without following established procedure. More

The Odisha government has set in motion an ambitious project to upgrade the cricket stadium at Malimunda in Jharsuguda district into an international-standard facility at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. More

The Crime Branch of Odisha Police has arrested four persons in connection with two separate cases of cyber fraud amounting to more than Rs 1.7 crore. More

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi directed officials to ensure flawless arrangements for PM Narendra Modi’s visit on September 27 to Berhampur for the national-level Seva Parv. Modi will launch IIT expansion, railway projects, BSNL 4G, and super specialty hospitals. More

Family members of the deceased have alleged that, just like killing Lady Constable Shubhamitra Sahu, Deepak has also murdered his first wife, Aparna, in a pre-planned manner. They have demanded a thorough and impartial probe into both cases. More

Fear has gripped Benakanda village in Odisha’s Kendrapara district after a woman, Lakshmi Dalei, went missing—suspected to have been dragged into the Gobari River by a crocodile. The incident occurred while she was cutting grass. As search operations continue, the tragedy highlights the growing threat of human-crocodile conflict near Bhitarkanika National Park, a known crocodile habitat. More

The affected areas include Phiringia, Khajuripada, Chakapada, Raikia, Baliguda, Tumudibandh, Kotagarh, and Daringbadi, where Maoist movements and camps have been detected deep inside the forests. More

A breach of privilege notice filed by BJP MLA Padmalochan Panda against five Congress legislators has sparked political tension in the Odisha Assembly. The notice accuses the MLAs of violating House rules by publicly commenting on a trust vote before formal Assembly procedures. The development has triggered a heated debate over legislative conduct, media disclosures, and parliamentary protocol. More