Puri Gears Up for Rath Yatra 2026 as Devotees Gather for Final Rituals

July 15 (UDN): The holy city of Puri is witnessing a surge of devotion and festive spirit as preparations continue for the much-awaited Rath Yatra 2026. The Shree Jagannath Temple has entered the final phase of rituals before the grand chariot festival, with devotees gathering in large numbers to participate in the celebrations. After the completion of Nabajaubana Darshan, the Ubha Yatra ritual is being conducted…

Four College Students Rescued After Getting Stranded at Odisha’s Chhatrang Dam

Bolangir, July 15 (UDN): A major accident was averted in Odisha’s Bolangir district after four college students were rescued safely after getting stranded on rocks while bathing at Chhatrang Dam under Bangomunda block. The students became trapped on the rocks, following which a joint rescue operation was launched by teams from the police department, Fire Services, and the Forest Department. The coordinated effort helped evacuate…

Odisha Opens Rs 42Crore Modern Public Library in Cuttack

Cuttack, July 15 (UDN): The Odisha government has inaugurated the state’s largest modern public library in Cuttack. Built at a cost of around Rs 42 crore, the new facility has been named after freedom fighter and social reformer Late Biswanath Pandit. The library has been developed with modern facilities to support students, researchers, and the general public. It will provide access to a wide collection…

Tamil Nadu Tests AI-Powered Speed Control System to Strengthen Traffic Enforcement

July 15: Tamil Nadu’s pilot implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based speed enforcement system on a Coimbatore flyover has highlighted the prevalence of speeding during its trial phase, reinforcing the importance of technology-driven solutions to improve road safety and traffic discipline. The AI-powered system, introduced as part of efforts to modernize traffic management, monitored vehicle speeds and identified instances of motorists exceeding the prescribed speed…

Odisha Among Key States as Jindal Group Eyes ₹3.6 Lakh Crore Nuclear Power Expansion

Bhubaneswar, July 15 (UDN): Odisha has emerged as one of the frontrunners in the Naveen Jindal Group’s ambitious plan to develop a nationwide nuclear power network with a proposed generation capacity of 18 GW, involving an estimated investment of ₹3.6 lakh crore. The diversified business group is currently evaluating potential locations across more than nine states to establish large-scale nuclear power plants as part of…

Rath Yatra 2026: Puri Gears Up with 30 Parking Zones, AI-Backed Surveillance and Strict Traffic Curbs

Puri, July 15 (UDN): With lakhs of devotees expected to throng the Holy City for the annual Rath Yatra, the Puri district administration has unveiled a comprehensive traffic and security plan aimed at ensuring seamless crowd movement and hassle-free travel throughout the festival.  Representational Image As part of the arrangements, 30 designated parking zones have been earmarked across Puri for vehicles arriving from different parts…

IMD Issues Yellow Warning for Thunderstorms and Rain in 11 Odisha Districts, Including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack

Bhubaneswar, July 15 (UDN): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall in 11 districts of Odisha, urging residents to remain vigilant as unstable weather conditions are expected to prevail over the next few hours. Representatioanl Image According to the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, one or two places in Khordha (including Bhubaneswar), Cuttack (including Cuttack city),…

Odisha Government Launches Baristha Nagarik Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026–27; Applications Open from July 15

Bhubaneswar, July 15 (UDN): The Government of Odisha has officially launched the Baristha Nagarik Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026–27, reaffirming its commitment to supporting senior citizens by enabling them to undertake pilgrimages to revered religious destinations across India with government assistance. Applications for the scheme will be accepted from July 15 to August 14, 2026. ୨୦୨୬-୨୭ ବର୍ଷର ‘ବରିଷ୍ଠ ନାଗରିକ ତୀର୍ଥଯାତ୍ରା ଯୋଜନା’ ପାଇଁ ଆସନ୍ତା ୧୫ ଜୁଲାଇରୁ ୧୪…

Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the progress of health, education, nutrition, and tuberculosis eradication programmes during the meeting of the social sector initiative “Prayas”.

Bhubaneswar,  July 15 [UDN}:  Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the progress of health, education, nutrition, and tuberculosis eradication programmes during the meeting of the social sector initiative “Prayas”. During the meeting, instructions were issued to further strengthen the quality of healthcare services in order to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates

The Subhadra Scheme has received an overwhelming response, with as many as 3.17 lakh new applications submitted by eligible beneficiaries across the state.

Bhubaneswar, July 15 [UDN}:  A total of 3,17,966 new applications have been submitted for the Subhadra Scheme.The information was shared by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida after reviewing the newly received applications.82,036 applicants have been advised to activate their Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) accounts.28,611 applicants have not yet completed their biometric e-KYC verification.The verification and scrutiny process for all applications is expected to be completed…