Latest news with #MohanCharanMajhi


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Mahanadi dispute should be resolved amicably: CM Mohan Charan Majhi
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi once again reiterated the need for an amicable solution through discussion between Odisha and Chhattisgarh on the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute. Chairing a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, the chief minister pointed out that efforts to resolve the issue through the Central Water Commission (CWC) have been slow. 'A mutually agreeable solution could be reached through discussions between the two states with the support of the central government. The CWC could provide technical assistance in this regard,' he added. The chief minister, who had taken up the issue with his Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai on two occasions, said an early resolution to the long-standing dispute will improve relations between the two states. Majhi and Sai had previously discussed the issue on the sidelines of the All India Conference of the State Water Resources Ministers in Rajasthan in February and again on the occasion of World Water Day in Bhubaneswar in March this year. Both of them had emphasised the need for an amicable solution on the dispute. The meeting was informed that official-level talks between the two states were underway to resolve the issue. Since the CWC intervention has not made much headway, the meeting felt the need for the active support of the central government for an early resolution. The meeting was attended by Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja, development commissioner and additional chief secretary of Water Resources department Anu Garg, principal secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra and senior officials and engineers of the Water Resources department.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Odisha CM approves two more OISF battalions for better industrial environment
BHUBANESWAR: In a major push towards creating better industrial environment through improved security, the state government on Wednesday approved creation of two more battalions under the Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF). Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ratified the proposal to form two more battalions of OISF, taking the total strength to four. The 3rd and 4th battalions will have 1,944 regular posts and 136 outsourced positions with a total manpower of 2,080. The OISF initially had one battalion with 1,807 personnel. In April, the chief minister approved formation of a second battalion, increasing the total strength to 2,847 personnel. With the recent creation of the third and fourth battalions, the total number of posts in OISF has now reached 4,927. The state government is prioritising industrial growth and taking steps to attract new industries. With the resounding success of Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha 2025 summit attracting investment intent of more than Rs 4.5 lakh crore, the pace of industrialisation in the state has got a boost. The state also attracted another Rs 1.4 lakh crore of investments in the first quarter of the current financial year. Given the importance of securing industrial establishments and commercial hubs, the CM approved formation of two additional battalions for OISF.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Prioritise repair of shrines around Lingaraj temple: Odisha CM
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday took a review of the redevelopment of three major temples - Maa Tarini Pitha at Ghatagaon, Maa Biraja temple in Jajpur and Parikrama Project of Ekamra Kshetra in Bhubaneswar - to assess the actual progress made. As per the review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan here, the development work of Ghatagaon Maa Tarini temple spanning 59 acre is being carried out in four phases. The integrated development and beautification of the shrine is expected to be completed within two-and-a-half years. The `224.7 crore project will feature a 200-bed Yatri Niwas, a 300-seat auditorium, a food plaza, parking facilities, a market complex, drainage system, ponds and road infrastructure, among other amenities. The chief minister emphasised that the agencies engaged for the redevelopment and beautification works should do it in consultation with the temple management committee. He further directed that the shops around the temple be relocated to the proposed market complex. Majhi had announced the development project during his first visit to Keonjhar district after taking oath as the chief minister last year.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
AAI rolls out map to regulate building height around Puri airport
BHUBANESWAR: To streamline urban growth around the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has introduced interactive colour coded zoning map (CCZM) to regulate height clearance for structures around the project. Officials in the directorate of civil aviation of the Commerce and Transport department said, the recent incorporation of CCZM for Puri on NOC Application System (NOCAS) 2.0 will enhance regulatory efficiency and set the stage for a well-planned and sustainable airport development in the spiritual capital of the state. Developed by the AAI, CCZM is an interactive map displaying the permissible top elevation (PTE) for different areas around airports using colour-coded grids. The map helps streamline the process of obtaining height clearance for structures near airports to ensure aviation safety. 'It defines the maximum permissible heights for buildings and other structures in different zones surrounding the airport to prevent obstruction of aircraft flight paths, ensuring safe takeoff and landing operations,' said an official of the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). Officials of the civil aviation directorate said the transformative digital tool will help online height clearance process and ensure that aviation planning is integrated with safe urban development, regulated infrastructure growth and environmental safeguards. As part of CCZM compliance, the NOC for construction of structures will be issued through the NOCAS portal of the AAI. The Centre accorded in-principle approval for the proposed international airport in Puri in May. The approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi pushed for fast-tracking of the greenfield airport project. As per the state government's plan, the project will be taken up on over 1,164 acre land that includes around 68 acre forest and 221.48 acre private land in Sipasarubali and Sandhapur under Brahmagiri tehsil. Around `5,631 crore will be spent to develop the proposed airport. Establishment of the airport in Puri is expected to provide a major boost to religious tourism, regional development and overall connectivity in the region.


Hans India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
11 blocks under aspirational prog
Bhubaneswar: Eleven blocks of Odisha have been included in the Aspirational Block Programme of the NITI Aayog, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Tuesday. The programme focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens and service delivery in the remotest and less developed blocks of India. This is done through converging existing schemes, defining outcomes and monitoring them constantly to bridge gaps. Five blocks of Keonjhar district and six of Mayurbhanj district have been added to the programme. With this, a total of 40 blocks of Odisha have now become Aspirational blocks. As per the statement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had requested the NITI Aayog to include these blocks under its programme. Accepting Majhi's request, the NITI Aayog has included these blocks in the Aspirational Programme. The new blocks that have been included in the programme are Champua, Jhumpura, Keonjhar Sadar, Patna and Telkoi of Keonjhar district and Behalda, Bijataala, Jamada, Kusumi, Rairangpur and Tiringi of Mayurbhanj district. A notification in this regard was issued by the NITI Aayog on Tuesday. The broad contours of the programme are convergence of Central & State schemes, collaboration of Central, State-level nodal officers and district collectors and competition among blocks through monthly delta ranking.