April 18, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Chhattisgarh Vedanta plant blast death toll rises to 23

April 18, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The death toll in the explosion at a thermal power plant operated by Vedanta Limited in Chhattisgarh’s Singhtarai has climbed to 23 after two more injured workers succumbed during treatment.

The incident occurred on April 14 and left several workers critically injured. Officials said one victim died at a hospital in Raipur, while another passed away at a medical college in Raigarh. At least 12 workers continue to receive treatment, according to media reports.

A preliminary inquiry by the chief boiler inspector has attributed the explosion to excessive fuel accumulation inside the furnace, which caused a rapid pressure build-up. The pressure reportedly dislodged a lower pipe, resulting in structural failure and triggering the blast. Findings from the Forensic Science Laboratory in Sakti have corroborated the initial assessment.

A report has been submitted to local authorities and the police in Dabhra. A central team is scheduled to visit on Saturday for a detailed investigation to establish the sequence of events and fix responsibility.

Police have registered a case on the directions of Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur. The case names Vedanta Director Anil Agarwal, company Manager Devendra Patel, and other officials, citing preliminary evidence of negligence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. He said the tragedy in Sakti district was deeply saddening and extended condolences to those who lost their loved ones. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Milind Soman engages with Odisha officials on sports tourism

April 18, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: An interaction was held on Saturday between Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Odisha Tourism, and Milind Soman, a well-known Indian marathon runner, along with other national marathoners.

The discussion focused on the growing potential of sports tourism to enhance destination appeal and visitor engagement.

Deepankar Mohapatra, Director of Tourism, and other senior officials were also present during the discussion.

The deliberations highlighted upcoming sporting initiatives and outlined a roadmap aimed at positioning Odisha as a leading hub for sports-driven tourism experiences, Odisha Tourism said in a post on X.

In a related development, Chef Abinas Nayak has been announced as the Odia Culinary Champion. With his strong local expertise and focus on authentic flavours, he is expected to contribute to efforts aimed at preserving, documenting, and promoting Odisha’s culinary heritage from grassroots communities to global platforms.

JSW Steel, POSCO plan 6 MTPA integrated steel plant in Odisha via joint venture

April 18, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: JSW Steel Ltd and POSCO Group will set up a 6 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant in Odisha through a joint venture approved by JSW Steel’s board.

The companies will execute the partnership through Saffron Resources Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned arm of JSW Steel, which will be converted into a 50:50 joint venture entity, the company said in a regulatory filing.

The planned unit will be developed as a greenfield project and is expected to expand JSW Steel’s manufacturing presence in the country.

Under the agreement, POSCO will invest about Rs 508.8 crore by subscribing to shares of Saffron Resources, subject to closing adjustments. The deal is likely to be completed by December 31, 2026, unless both sides agree to extend the timeline.

Saffron Resources holds nearly 887 acres of land in Odisha, comprising both freehold and leasehold parcels, which may be used for the project.

The move comes about 18 months after the two companies signed an agreement in October 2024 to collaborate in areas such as steelmaking, electric vehicle batteries, and renewable energy.

JSW Steel said the partnership with POSCO Co., Ltd will help it access advanced technology and support the production of high-grade steel for automotive and other applications.

This will be JSW Steel’s third joint venture with an overseas partner, in addition to its existing collaborations with JFE Steel Corp.

JSW Steel has a global crude steel capacity of 35.7 MTPA and is targeting 50 MTPA capacity in India by FY31. POSCO, with around 45 MTPA capacity, is expected to bring technological and operational expertise to the venture.

Takhellambam Inunganbi wins bronze at Asian Judo Championships 2026

April 18, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Takhellambam Inunganbi has secured a bronze medal in the women’s -70kg category at the Asian Judo Championships 2026 in Ordos City, China, ending India’s 13-year wait for a podium finish at the continental competition.

The 27-year-old defeated Mongolia’s Lkhagvadulam Sarantsetseg by ippon in the bronze medal bout, sealing her place on the podium.

Inunganbi had earlier suffered a quarter-final defeat to Uzbekistan’s Shirinjon Yuldoshova, who went on to claim silver, but fought back in the repechage round, defeating Alina Moldokulova to earn a shot at bronze, according to olympics.com.

Gold in the category was claimed by Mun Song-hui, an Olympian and Asian Games silver medallist.

The last time India reached the podium at the Asian Judo Championships was in 2013, when Angom Anita Chanu won bronze in the women’s -52kg event in Bangkok.

India’s overall tally at the individual Asian Championships now stands at 16 medals, including four silver and 12 bronze. The country’s silver medallists include Poonam Chopra, Najib Aga, Pankaj Sharma, and Ramashrey Yadav.

India has fielded a full-strength contingent of 18 judokas – nine men and nine women – for the ongoing championships, which conclude on Saturday. Tulika Maan is set to compete in the women’s +78kg category on the final day.

Anugul Mahotsav 2026 inaugurated, CM Majhi outlines energy capital vision

April 18, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has inaugurated the 13th Anugul Mahotsav-2026, highlighting the district’s rich cultural heritage and its growing importance in Odisha’s development roadmap.

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said Anugul continues to stand out for its unique soil, traditions, and hospitality. He noted that the festival is strengthening communal harmony and cultural pride in the region. Expressing confidence, he said Anugul district will play a key role in achieving the goals of a developed India by 2047 and a prosperous Odisha by 2036.

Outlining major development initiatives, Majhi announced projects worth Rs 559 crore, including foundation stone laying for 320 projects valued at Rs 414 crore and inauguration of 52 projects worth Rs 145 crore.

In a post on X, he also highlighted the proposed coal gasification plant at Talcher, which is expected to boost energy security and generate employment opportunities.

The state government is also pushing forward an industrial corridor scheme from Paradip to Rourkela, aimed at accelerating industrial growth, he noted. Majhi pointed to the vast tourism potential of regions like Satkosia, Mahanadi, and Brahmani, stressing the need to develop these areas as key attractions.

Reiterating the government’s vision, he said efforts are underway to establish Anugul as the “Energy Capital” or “Power City” of Odisha.

Earlier, the chief minister participated in the Nari Shakti Bandhan Sammilani in Anugul district, where he emphasised the importance of women-led development. He said the government is committed to empowering women through schemes such as Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi programme, and Chief Minister Kanya Vivaah Yojana.

He added that the current budget includes significant provisions for women, aimed at improving access to education, skill development, and entrepreneurship. Majhi expressed confidence that stronger participation of women across sectors will help realise the vision of a prosperous Odisha and a developed India.

Odisha government reviews summer power readiness

April 18, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, has reviewed the preparedness of the Energy Department to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during the peak summer months.

Chairing a high-level meeting, Singh Deo directed officials to maintain normal power supply across the state and prevent any disruption amid rising temperatures. He stressed swift response to outages and called for heightened vigilance during the heatwave period.

Officials informed that the department has already aligned its strategy to meet peak demand. The maximum electricity demand in April has so far touched 6,087 MW, which is being met without difficulty. The demand is projected to rise to around 6,200 MW in May and about 6,100 MW in June. The state has recorded a 2% increase in demand this April compared to the same period last year.

To ensure adequate supply, the department has coordinated with Odisha Hydro Power Corporation to maximise hydropower generation during peak months. It has also strengthened ties with thermal power plants and initiated power banking arrangements. Discussions are underway with Rourkela Steel Plant for the procurement of 50–100 MW of power. Additionally, provisions have been made to source electricity from power exchanges as required.

The government has also taken steps to improve consumer services. The call centre capacity has been enhanced from 100 to 150 logins per day. Facilities such as missed-call alerts and single-click access have been introduced to provide real-time updates on outages. Consumers can now register complaints easily through IVRS, the official website, mobile app, and self-service options. Advance information on scheduled power cuts is being disseminated through SMS, WhatsApp, social media platforms, and local announcements.

Reiterating consumer welfare measures, Singh Deo instructed officials not to disconnect power supply to domestic consumers for non-payment of bills during the extreme summer heat. He also directed the immediate resolution of complaints from any part of the state.

Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, GRIDCO MD Satya Priya Rath, senior officials of the Energy Department, and CEOs of DISCOMs attended the review meeting.