News from Bhubaneswar

NHRC intervenes after servitor Jogendra Samartha suffers injuries at Lingaraj Temple during Maha Shivratri, highlighting lack of safety for temple servitors.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has empowered apartment associations to disconnect essential services for residents defaulting on maintenance fees, under the Odisha Apartment Ownership and Management Act, 2023.

The 'Quit Steering Wheel' agitation by Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha enters day four, crippling transport services. Protest paused for Rahul Gandhi's Bhubaneswar rally, sparking political debate.

Transport services in Odisha remain disrupted for the fourth day due to the 'Quit Steering Wheel' protest by Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha, causing commuter distress and potential fuel shortages.

The Government of India is set to approve a Rs 8,300 crore, 110-km six-lane Bhubaneswar Bypass to enhance connectivity between Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, reducing travel time by 40 minutes.

Sunita Biswal, daughter of former Odisha chief minister Hemananda Biswal, joins Congress, accusing BJD of false women empowerment narrative and sidelining female voices. Sunita accused the Opposition party of projecting a misleading image of women. BJD's ‘Mahila Samman’ is purely superficial, she alleged.

Rahul Gandhi, LoP and senior Congress leader, visits Bhubaneswar for party programmes, prompting traffic advisories from Commissionerate Police for smooth commuter movement. The Rajya Sabha MP and LoP, as well as the AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge, will also be visiting Bhubaneswar on Friday to attend various programmes.

Drivers in Odisha's Bolangir district detained fuel tankers near Titilagarh, protesting work conditions, disrupting the supply chain and prompting police mediation to prevent fuel shortages. Police forces from Saintala and Deogaon, along with Bolangir Sadar SDPO, reached the spot shortly after the protest began. The fuel tankers were not released by the drivers till the time when this report was filed.

Odisha's Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra assures resolution to the 'Quit Steering Wheel' protest by tonight, addressing drivers' demands amid transport halt.

Sunita Biswal, daughter of former Odisha CM Hemananda Biswal, resigned from BJD citing personal reasons, impacting the party's tribal vote base in western Odisha. Sunita was prominently featured in the 2019 General Elections as the BJD candidate for the Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat, although she did not win. Her candidature was seen as a strategic alliance move by the party.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra warns Odisha Govt over detention of 400+ Bengali workers in Jharsuguda, including 23 from her constituency, threatening tourism repercussions. In a video message, the West Bengal MP alleged that the workers have been illegally detained by cops from Orient Police Station in Jharsuguda district. She threatened that tourism from Bengal to Odisha could be impacted.

The Odisha government has reshuffled senior IPS officers, appointing Sanjeeb Panda as ADG of Anti-Naxal Operations and SIW, among other key postings aimed at bolstering internal security.

BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan granted bail in BMC additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo assault case by Khurda Court, released on Rs 30,000 security.

The Odisha government has decided to permanently close three sub-jails in Nayagarh, Balasore, and Bargarh districts, merging them with their respective district jails as part of correctional reforms.

CRUT launches Double Decker buses on Route No. 50 from Bhubaneswar Railway Station to Puri Bus Stand, enhancing travel experience with key stoppages at major landmarks.