Latest news with #SambalpurMunicipalCorporation
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
SMC collects ₹3.91L in fines, seizes over 100 kg single-use plastic
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified its crackdown on single-use plastic users, seizing over 100 kg of banned materials and collecting Rs 3.91 lakh in penalties during the past five months According to SMC commissioner Vedbhusan, the seizures have steadily increased, with 16.5 kg confiscated in Jan followed by 27 kg in Feb, 31.7 kg in March, 12 kg in April, and 18.5 kg in May. The corresponding fines collected were Rs 59,700, Rs 124,300, Rs 45,000, Rs 89,300, and Rs 73,000 respectively. The enforcement drive, conducted jointly with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, had a three-phase approach. "We first raided business outlets and small vendors selling single-use plastic items. The second phase involved penalising large businesses while focusing on awareness for smaller vendors," said Vedbhusan. Deputy commissioner Shankar Prasad Sahu highlighted that the corporation has also banned paper cups for tea service from April 1, citing health concerns. "The coating in these cups is carcinogenic. We're promoting alternatives like glass, steel, and clay cups," he said. In an innovative move, the SMC has partnered with a cement factory to utilize non-recyclable plastic waste as refuse-derived fuel. "We're also exploring ways to create park benches and decorative items from plastic waste," said commissioner Vedbhusan. The corporation is working with SHGs to promote plastic waste recycling and reuse, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable waste management practices. Regional officer Satyanarayan Nanda of Odisha State Pollution Control Board confirmed that joint enforcement operations will resume next week after a brief pause, emphasising continued vigilance against single-use plastic violations.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Steps to check jaundice ahead of Sital Sasthi in Odisha
SAMBALPUR: Ahead of the three-day Sital Sasthi festival, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has assured stringent measures to prevent the repeat of last year's jaundice outbreak which was linked to contaminated water. The festival will be held from May 31 to June 2 and is expected to draw lakhs of devotees to Sambalpur Last year, the festive celebrations were marred by a jaundice outbreak traced to ice lollies made from contaminated water and sold by roadside vendors. The root cause was the city's ageing water supply pipelines passing through open drains, allowing pollutants and sewage to seep in through leakages. The outbreak was detected in late June, initially affecting Kumbharpada, Dhobapada and Pensionpada, before spreading to other localities. Over 150 people, mostly children aged 6 to 14, were affected. SMC commissioner Vedbhusan said following last year's incident, periodic inspections of ice factories and other such units are continuing to ensure quality control. One ice unit in Dhanakauda, which was sealed during the outbreak, has resumed operations after several rounds of inspections. 'We are intensifying checks. Contaminated food is being destroyed and violators penalised from time to time. Plastic ban enforcement is ongoing and will be strengthened during the festival,' he added. Food inspector Sandeep Saurav said inspections of sweet shops and food joints across the city have been carried out. 'As temporary stalls will start mushrooming in next few days, we will scale up inspections focusing on food and water quality.' Meanwhile, the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) has initiated a `7 crore project to revamp the city's compromised water infrastructure. 'The tender has been awarded to four executing agencies. Work will begin shortly,' said WATCO GM Bramheswar Das.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sambalpur gears up for Sital Sasthi
1 2 S ambalpur: Sambalpur is preparing for the annual Sital Sasthi festival, a five-day celebration of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati's divine marriage, scheduled from May 29 to June 2. The state govt has allocated Rs 1.8 crore for the festival, which will be used for preparations and arrangements by 21 organising committees. Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari and his wife will perform the prestigious 'kanyadan' ceremony at Jhaduapada. "It's an overwhelming experience to be chosen as Devi Parvati's father for this divine marriage," said Pujari, who is overseeing both the ceremonial arrangements and security measures. The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated extensive preparations to facilitate smooth processions. "We have cleared unauthorised constructions near Fatak overbridge and Mahamaya Mandir to ensure unobstructed movement of chariots," said SMC commissioner Vedbhusan. The public works department is currently expanding these routes following the decongestion drive. The five-day celebration includes 'patarpendi' (engagement ceremony) on May 29, followed by 'guagunda' (invitation to deities) on May 30, the divine marriage on May 31, nagar parikram (city procession) on June 1, and the temple entry of the divine couple on June 2. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How To Write Faster for Work (Find Out Now) Grammarly Learn More Undo Around 8,000 artists will participate in various processions during the festival. The administration has implemented comprehensive safety and security measures, including deployment of 12 medical teams, including doctors from VSS Institute of Medical Sciences, Burla, and enhanced police vigilance to prevent criminal activities. Govt has told the power distributor to ensure uninterrupted power and drinking water supply besides installation and repair of streetlights to ensure safety. The SMC is also undertaking infrastructure improvements in Modipara, Bad Sadak, and San Sadak areas, along with drain cleaning work at Ring Road to prepare for the grand celebration. This centuries-old festival, considered one of Odisha's most significant cultural events, is expected to draw thousands of devotees from across the state and beyond.
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Sambalpur reels under intense heatwave, normal life affected
SAMBALPUR: As mercury continues to soar across Odisha, Sambalpur is battling an intense heatwave with the district recording a temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. In the past week, temperature has been consistently hovering between 40 and 44 degrees C in Sambalpur, prompting the district administration to ramp up measures to prevent heatstroke incidents. Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Sujata Rani Mishra said special wards for sunstroke patients have been set up in different hospitals. 'A six-bed unit is now operational at the district headquarters hospital. Similar wards comprising two to four beds have also been set up in primary and community health centres,' she said. These wards have been equipped with air conditioners/coolers and stocked with ORS packets and IV saline. Nodal officers have been appointed to oversee operations at these wards. The CDMO further said no confirmed heatstroke cases have been reported in the district so far this year. At least 132 such cases were recorded in Sambalpur by April last year. However, during the chief minister's public grievance hearing held at Sambalpur Municipal Corporation office on Monday, 40 people were rushed for medical attention after they showed sunstroke-like symptoms. They recovered after receiving medical care, and officials have classified them as suspected cases of heatstroke, but not confirmed cases, Mishra added. Meanwhile, the hot weather conditions have significantly impacted normal life in the district. Streets are wearing deserted looks in the afternoons with small vendors, daily wage earners and construction labourers shortening their work hours to avoid peak heat. A sugarcane juice seller at Golbazar chowk Jitendar Kushwaha said, 'I now open my stall before 8 am and close it from 1 pm to 5 pm. Earlier, business was good even in the afternoon, but now it's too hot and people aren't coming out.' Notably, the Health department has urged people to stay indoors during peak hours, stay hydrated and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of heat exhaustion.
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Mohan Majhi shifts base to Sambalpur for first regional Jana Sunani, citizens elated
SAMBALPUR: In a first-of-its-kind citizen outreach initiative by the state government, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with his council of ministers and senior officials temporarily shifted base to Sambalpur on Monday to conduct a regional public grievance hearing. Held at the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation office, the programme marked the 10th session of the Jana Sunani (public grievance hearing) and the first to take place outside Bhubaneswar, drawing thousands of people from across the Western Odisha region. The session, which began at 8 am and continued for over four hours, witnessed participation of more than 1,400 people who presented their complaints directly to the chief minister and his team. Among the complainants were 18 critically ill patients who received immediate financial assistance amounting to Rs 19.50 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Addressing the media after concluding the hearing, the chief minister said, 'Today is a happy day for us. Within 10 months of coming to power, we have been able to give a direct platform to the poor and affected citizens of the state to present their grievances. Sambalpur is the first regional stop outside Bhubaneswar. We are committed to taking this initiative to other districts as well.' Criticising the previous BJD government, Majhi said, 'For the last 16 years, the grievance redressal system was mostly led by bureaucrats without direct involvement of the chief minister. People had to wait for a long time to reach their representatives. We have changed that by being present before the people and resolving their problems.' Since the launch of Jana Sunani in July last year, the CM said, 9,377 grievances have been received in nine sessions with 88 per cent already resolved. 'Such outreach encourages accountability among officers and ensures quicker redressal. I've instructed all departments to resolve issues raised today at the earliest,' he said. He also highlighted that the initiative has received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who termed it a positive example of grassroots governance and direct engagement with citizens. The hearing also saw several heart-touching moments. Nalini Behera, a 70-year-old woman from Angul who alleged fraudulent encroachment of her land, broke down while narrating her case to the CM. 'I've been running from pillar to post for years with no response. This is for the first time, I felt someone truly listened to my woes,' she said. Likewise, farmers from Bargarh and Bheden areas raised concerns over irrigation and procurement issues. Many expressed satisfaction over being able to directly communicate their long-pending demands to the CM. The chief minister's interactions with elderly and disabled citizens drew appreciation from all sections, particularly as he stepped off the dais several times to meet individuals in wheelchairs or those unable to walk. Dy CM and 11 ministers take part in Jana Sunani However, not all were satisfied. National-level women football players from Sambalpur, including Madhumita Meher, who have been demanding government jobs under the sports quota, failed to get a hearing due to lack of time. Despite raising the issue with district collector on several occasions, no progress has been made. The players, though, expressed hope that their application would now be reviewed by the department concerned as they could meet one of the officials. The hearing was attended by several key ministers, including deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Revenue minister Suresh Pujari, Rural Development minister Rabi Narayan Naik, School and Mass Education minister Nityananda Gond, Food Supplies minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Health minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Steel and Mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, Handlooms minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Skill Development minister Sampad Chandra Swain and Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj. Secretaries from various departments, MLAs, and district collectors from across Western Odisha were also present.
