Latest news with #Bhubaneswar-based
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC questions irregularities in preparing DPRs of Cuttack drain project
1 2 Cuttack: Orissa high court has taken serious note of irregularities in the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) related to the Rs 335.42 crore branch surface water channel (BSWC) drain project in Cuttack. A division bench of Justices S K Sahoo and V Narasingh, while hearing the matter on July 11, came down heavily on the housing and urban development department and noted with concern that the DPRs submitted by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) were neither authenticated nor bore the names of officials involved in their preparation. The court termed the lapses as "startling". The bench also questioned how a Bhubaneswar-based private consultancy firm came to represent the city engineer (CMC) during a crucial meeting held on April 30. "There is nothing on record to indicate how the private company could represent a govt official," the court observed. "The lackadaisical manner in which the entire project is being handled is tell-tale," the bench remarked and directed the secretary of the department to file an affidavit by July 21, clarifying the appointment of the firm, reasons for overlooking IIT Bhubaneswar, and whether any departmental or vigilance inquiry is being initiated into the handling of the project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The engineer has also been directed to submit a separate affidavit detailing the basis for involving the firm and referring the DPRs to Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla. The matter pertains to the proposed construction of five BSWC drains in the city. Despite a decision taken in Dec 2023 to consult IIT Bhubaneswar for an expert review of the DPRs, the documents were sent instead to VSSUT. The shift was based on a communication dated June 17 this year from the firm. "It does not stand to reason how the govt's direction to consult IIT Bhubaneswar, keeping in mind the hydraulic analysis required, was ignored," the bench stated. When questioned by the court, the engineer assured the revised DPRs would be submitted by July 25. However, the judges noted the absence of any explanation as to why the firm was involved and why the IIT's expertise was bypassed.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
17 Puri stampede witnesses depose before officer
Bhubaneswar: Seventeen persons, including eyewitnesses, presented their testimonies to development commissioner Anu Garg on Wednesday regarding the June 29 stampede near the Gundicha temple in Puri that resulted in the deaths of three devotees. "Statements of 17 persons were recorded during the public hearing. The investigation is continuing," Garg informed the press. She plans to hear additional eyewitness accounts in Puri on Thursday. She has invited people to submit any relevant information, video recordings or additional evidence to ensure a comprehensive investigation. Bhubaneswar-based businessman Baikuntha Nath Mishra, who was testified, stated, "I was present at the stampede site. The tragedy struck between 3.50 am and 4 am when thousands of devotees had gathered at a narrow place in front of the chariots for darshan. Inadequate crowd control measures resulted in the stampede." Another witness from Bhubaneswar, Pranab Kishore Sahoo, who deposed before the investigation committee, indicated that proper anticipation of weekend crowds by police could have prevented the incident. "The situation escalated when the darshan system was temporarily closed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Преносим лазерен заваръчен пистолет, 50% отстъпка днес LYH Купете сега Undo Upon resumption in the early morning hours, impatient devotees pushed forward for a better view, triggering the stampede," Sahoo said. Other witnesses criticised the administration's decision to permit two trucks carrying wooden ladders for the chariots. "The space in front of the chariots was already packed with people. But two trucks passed through us, further squeezing the area, leading to the stampede. There were fewer cops to streamline the truck movement," said Manoj Kumar Mishra, another witness. He said wooden logs placed in front of the chariots turned slippery in the rain. "Some devotees slipped and fell," said Mishra.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bureaucrat Bishnupada Sethi gets protection from arrest till July 8
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Thursday granted interim protection from arrest to senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi in connection with the ongoing CBI investigation into an alleged corruption case. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on July 8. The case originates from the December 8 arrest of a group general manager of a public sector undertaking (PSU), who was allegedly caught accepting rS 10 lakh bribe from a Bhubaneswar-based real estate firm. During interrogation, Sethi's name reportedly surfaced, leading the CBI to conduct a search at his residence on February 18. Sethi had earlier filed a writ petition on February 25 seeking to quash the CBI investigation. The high court had granted him interim protection at that time, which was extended periodically until the petition was dismissed on June 20. On the same day, Sethi filed an anticipatory bail plea. After a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Justice V Narasingh granted Sethi interim protection from arrest until the next hearing and sought a status report on the investigation from the CBI. In its June 20 ruling, the court had dismissed the writ petition, calling it 'premature and not maintainable' since the probe was still at an early stage. The court cautioned against misuse of its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to obstruct legitimate investigations. Emphasising the principle that 'higher the office, greater the responsibility,' the court remarked that public servants, especially senior bureaucrats like Sethi, are expected to uphold the law and not evade scrutiny. It also criticised what it described as 'forum-shopping' by the petitioners, warning that allowing such practices would send a dangerous message.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
IAS officer gets fresh interim protection from arrest
Cuttack: Senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi has once again been granted interim protection by Orissa high court against possible arrest in connection with a CBI investigation into alleged corruption. Sethi had earlier been granted interim protection on Feb 25 when he had filed a writ petition seeking to quash the CBI probe. The interim relief was extended from time to time and was in force till the petition was dismissed on June 20. Sethi had filed an anticipatory bail plea the same day. After a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Justice V Narasingh posted the matter to July 8 for further consideration and granted Sethi interim protection against arrest till then. Justice Narasingh also sought a report on the investigation status from the CBI. Sethi's name had cropped up during investigation into the arrest of the general manager of a PSU last Dec for allegedly accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe from a Bhubaneswar-based real estate firm. This prompted a CBI search at Sethi's residence on Feb 18.
The Print
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Army deployed BonV Aero's GPR drone for rescue operations in Sikkim
The Bhubaneswar-based BonV Aero had developed its UAV platform specifically for sub-surface scanning in complex environments. The deployment followed the Army's immediate need for a reliable solution to scan debris in an inaccessible, high-altitude region, it added. Mumbai, Jun 25 (PTI) Deep tech startup BonV Aero on Wednesday said the Indian Army deployed its Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) drone to support rescue operations following the landslide in Lachen, Sikkim, early this month. Within 24 hours of the incident, the Army mobilised the system to operate in Lachen, approximately 123 km from Gangtok, it said. Using GPR, the drone conducted aerial surveys over unstable terrain, identifying two sub-surface anomalies at depths of 0.76 metres and 0.015 metres, BonV Aero said. These findings were later confirmed through excavation, which revealed human remains at both locations, it said, adding that this allowed the rescue teams to avoid broad manual digging, focusing efforts precisely where required. 'The Army's timely decision to use our platform enabled focused rescue efforts. The response in Lachen indicates that solutions built in one part of the country can address needs elsewhere at the right moment,' BonV Aero CEO Satyabarata Satapathy said. The drone also transmitted the collected data to a digital map in real-time, helping ground teams align their movements with the sub-surface insights, the company said. This integration of aerial and data intelligence supported accurate on-site coordination. 'In difficult terrain where conventional tools like thermal cameras or canine units face limitations, the UAV collected data without direct contact, minimising risk', BonV Aero CTO Abinash Sahoo. PTI IAS BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
