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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.

Day: April 18, 2026

Anugul Mahotsav 2026 inaugurated, CM Majhi outlines energy capital vision

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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

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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.