Puri, July 18 (UDN): Puri Police have arrested 103 alleged snatchers and pickpockets and recovered 203 stolen mobile phones during an intensified security drive launched for the annual Rath Yatra, as lakhs of devotees thronged the holy city. The special operation was carried out to curb theft, mobile snatching and pickpocketing, which often increase during large religious gatherings due to heavy crowds. Police acted on…
Heavy Overnight Rain Leaves Puri Waterlogged During Rath Yatra, Traffic Movement Hit
Puri, July 18 (UDN): Relentless overnight rainfall triggered widespread waterlogging across Puri on Saturday, inundating several key locations and disrupting traffic movement as thousands of devotees continued to visit the holy town for the annual Rath Yatra. Representational Image Large stretches of roads in residential, commercial and institutional areas were submerged, with water levels reaching knee height in several localities. The flooding posed challenges for…
Rural Development Department Holds Monthly Online Review Meeting to Assess Progress of PMGSY, MMSY, Setu Bandhan Yojana, and Other Key Projects
Bhubaneswar, July 18 [UDN}: A monthly online review meeting was held on 07 July 2026 under the chairpersonship of Mrs. Yamini Sadangi, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Rural Development Department, with departmental heads and district-level officials to review the progress of various schemes and projects undertaken by the department, including PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana), MMSY, and Setu Bandhan Yojana, as well as issues related…
Jharsuguda Hosts District-Level Review Meeting to Assess Progress of Various Development Projects and Strengthen Implementation
Jharsuguda: July 18 [UDN}:A significant district-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Jharsuguda Collector Shri Kunal Motiram Chavan. The meeting was attended by Chief Development Officer of the Zilla Parishad, Shri Biswaranjan Nayak, along with other senior officials. During the meeting, the District Collector conducted a detailed review of the progress of various government schemes being implemented by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking…
New Edition of History of Kotpad in the Mirror Released at Kotpad Literary Meet, Honouring the Town’s Historical, Cultural, and Intellectual Contributions
Kotpad,July 18 [UDN}: A revised edition of the book “Kotpad in the Mirror of History” was unveiled during a literary gathering held at the Gopabandhu Library premises in Kotpad. The book highlights the multifaceted talents and achievements of personalities from various fields associated with Kotpad. The programme was conducted under the chairmanship of Gopabandhu Library President Ganesh Panda, while the publisher of the book and…
Journalists in Belaguntha Submit Memorandum to the Chief Minister Demanding Monthly Allowance, Social Security, and Legal Protection
Belaguntha,July 18 [UDN}:: Members of the Voice of Media organization submitted a memorandum addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister through the Bhanjanagar Sub-Collector on Thursday, raising several demands related to the welfare, security, and financial support of journalists. The delegation included members of the Bhanjanagar and Belaguntha units of Voice of Media, along with members of the Belaguntha Press Club.The memorandum highlighted several important demands,…
Thirty-Nine Farmers in Nandapur Receive Livestock Shed Construction Work Orders to Promote Self-Reliance and Strengthen Rural Livelihoods
Nandapur, July 18 [UDN}: In an effort to promote livestock development and help farmers become self-reliant through rearing cows, buffaloes, poultry, ducks, and goats, work orders for the construction of animal sheds were distributed to 39 selected beneficiaries from various panchayats under Nandapur Block in Koraput district on Thursday at the Nandapur Veterinary Office. Under the supervision of Block Veterinary Officer Dr. Yashobanta Kumuti, work…
Special Camp Court Held at Kotpad Block to Support Orphaned and Single-Parent Children, Ensuring Access to Government Welfare Schemes
Koraput , July 18 [UDN}: A special camp court was organized today at Kotpad Block by the District Child Welfare Committee, Koraput, to ensure the protection of children who have lost their parents and children from single-parent families, and to provide assistance in accessing various government welfare schemes. Officials and staff from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Helpline personnel, and Anganwadi workers extended…
Odisha Ties Up with IFC to Build INR 20,000-Crore Infrastructure Pipeline Through PPP
Bhubaneswar, July 18 (UDN): In a significant push to accelerate infrastructure development, the Odisha government has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, to develop a pipeline of major public-private partnership (PPP) projects worth nearly ₹20,000 crore. Over the period of one year, IFC will identify at least 20 PPP projects with a…
Good News for Kotpad Region Residents as Special Train Services Are Arranged for Rath Yatra, Making Travel More Convenient for Devotees
Kotpad, July 18 [UDN}: A special express train service has been introduced between Jagdalpur and Puri for the upcoming Rath Yatra festival, bringing great relief and convenience to devotees from the Kotpad region and nearby areas. The Jagdalpur–Puri Special Express and the Puri–Jagdalpur Special Express will facilitate smooth travel for pilgrims wishing to attend the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri. This special arrangement is expected…