Latest news with #BhubaneswarMunicipalCorporation
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Dark stretches on NH-16 put commuters at risk; residents demand urgent fix
Advt Advt Travelling on the NH-16, which connects Bhubaneswar with Cuttack, has become a safety hazard due to non-functional street lights and inadequate maintenance, raising concerns among commuters and situation has become particularly critical during the ongoing Shravan month, with thousands of kanwariyas (devotees) walking barefoot along the highway carrying water pots to various Shiva shrines in the twin cities. The dark stretches has made their journey increasingly dangerous."This is absolutely harrowing. I walked to the Shiva shrine in Laxmi Sagar for the second time last Sunday, and the street lights were defunct. Vehicles passing dangerously close make it a nightmarish experience," said Krushna Puhan, a kanwariya from problem is compounded by unauthorised vehicle parking during night and stray cattle occupying the main carriageway. With restrictions imposed by commissionerate police on heavy vehicles between 5am and 10pm, trucks enter the city limits after 10pm Hota, a shopkeeper at Palasuni, witnessed a recent accident involving cattle. "I saw two bulls fighting in the middle of the highway. A speeding truck hit one of them due to the darkness," he Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said they regularly service the priority stretch. "We will investigate any issues with the street lights and address them promptly," said Suraj Singh, NHAI (project director), Bhubaneswar authorities promised action. "We will discuss the matter with both NHAI and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to address road safety issues on the highway," said an officer of the traffic wing of commissionerate increasing traffic volume and pedestrian movement, especially during festivals, the demand for proper lighting and their maintenance has become more urgent, according to residents and road safety experts."There is a need for a comprehensive safety audit of the highway stretch and implementation of strict enforcement measures against traffic violations. The situation has really worsened due to poor lighting and it needs to be addressed on priority," road safety activist PV Ramana said.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJD corporator arrested in rape case
Bhubaneswar: The BJD corporator of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Amaresh Jena, was arrested from Balasore district on Sunday in connection with a rape case lodged against him in Bhubaneswar, police said. Jena, a prominent BJD leader, was booked under the BNS sections 64(2) (rape), 89 (committing miscarriage without woman's permission), 296 (obscene act) and 352 (criminal intimidation), besides Section 6 of the POCSO Act, at Laxmisagar police station, where the survivor lodged a complaint on Wednesday. As Jena was not available at his house and possible locations in the city and remained incommunicado, the police formed a special squad and launched a manhunt for the BJD leader. 'Finally, he was located at a village under Berhampur police station limit in Nilgiri area in Balasore and apprehended by the special squad,' a police officer said. Jena was staying in a village in Nilgiri area, which is close to the forest, with the aim of escaping to the jungle if there was any police raid to apprehend him. However, he could not escape because the operation was carried out secretly, the officer said. Immediately after his arrest, the BJD issued an office order stating that: 'Amaresh Jena, Corporator, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, is hereby suspended from Biju Janata Dal with immediate effect.' The BJD Bhubaneswar president, Ashok Panda, told reporters on Sunday that Jena's suspension will not affect the party. 'No one is indispensable for BJD. It is party first. I reiterate that law will take its own course.' He said the BJD has acted immediately as soon as Jena was arrested by police. 'The BJD stands by its pro-women ideology. Jena's arrest will in no way damage BJD. It is a huge party with thousands of workers and leaders. He is an accused and will go through the legal process,' Panda said. On Saturday night, the police had arrested five aides of Jena on charges of harbouring him. The police said the five persons provided conveyance and assisted Amaresh Jena in evading arrest. The five arrested individuals hail from various parts of Khurda and Jagatsinghpur districts. They were forwarded to judicial custody after their bail pleas were rejected. A 19-year-old woman, in a written complaint at Laxmisagar police station, accused the BJD corporator of rape, foeticide, cheating and criminal intimidation. Jena, while absconding, told a section of the media that he was 'innocent' and 'framed' by the ruling BJP. In her complaint, the survivor alleged that the corporator sexually exploited her with the promise of marriage when she was 17 years old. She claims that Jena took her to Puri, engaged in physical relations, and in February 2024, when she was still a minor, forced her to abort a two-month pregnancy by administering pills. The survivor also alleged that she was threatened and directed not to reveal the matter to anyone. Police have recorded the statement of the survivor, and she also underwent a medical test. Bhubaneswar police had this week arrested the State president of NSUI, Udit Pradhan, for allegedly raping an engineering student. He has also been suspended from the party.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
BMC to speed up drain, road works on city stretch after prod by citizen reporters
Advt Advt The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to expedite drain and road construction on the stretch between Mangala Mandir Square and an apartment in Nayapalli 's Behera Sahi area after citizen reporters flagged concerns about its poor had expressed concerns about piled-up soil, protruding iron rods and concrete plates occupying the carriageway, with rains making the situation worse for commuters."During the peak of the monsoon season , the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is undertaking road and drain construction , leading to significant construction debris and obstructions on the roads. The digging and accumulation of soil are making the roads slippery, especially with the rainfall. If urgent measures are not implemented, it could result in accidents," wrote Bisworanjan Dash on TOI's Citizen Reporter construction is going on, the around 500-metre stretch with remnants of removed drain covers and stagnant water along the under-construction road has turned into a safety hazard for pedestrians and the problem, citizen reporter Rudra Narayan Jena from Chadrasekharpur, wrote, "The numerous drain construction projects currently underway in Bhubaneswar have significantly disrupted daily life. Roads have been excavated, and the resulting clay makes them dangerously slippery. It seems the BMC could have planned these projects more effectively. Ideally, they should have been completed before the peak rainy season or scheduled to start after the rains."Behera Sahi spans from Gate 1 of Kalinga Stadium on one side to the Iskcon Temple on the other. In between, the internal roads either are pothole-filled, narrow or construction has been going on for a long Sulochana Das said she has instructed the works department to expedite the construction."I know the ongoing work is causing a little inconvenience. I told the officer concerned to fix it. There were several issues, including encroachment, which delayed road work on the stretch. Unless the drain work is finished, the road can't be constructed. So, it got delayed. But people will be relieved as measures will be taken to resolve the issues," Das told TOI.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
BMC to speed up drain, road works on city stretch after prod by citizen reporters
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to expedite drain and road construction on the stretch between Mangala Mandir Square and an apartment in Nayapalli's Behera Sahi area after citizen reporters flagged concerns about its poor condition. Citizens had expressed concerns about piled-up soil, protruding iron rods and concrete plates occupying the carriageway, with rains making the situation worse for commuters. "During the peak of the monsoon season, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is undertaking road and drain construction, leading to significant construction debris and obstructions on the roads. The digging and accumulation of soil are making the roads slippery, especially with the rainfall. If urgent measures are not implemented, it could result in accidents," wrote Bisworanjan Dash on TOI's Citizen Reporter app. As construction is going on, the around 500-metre stretch with remnants of removed drain covers and stagnant water along the under-construction road has turned into a safety hazard for pedestrians and commuters. Highlighting the problem, citizen reporter Rudra Narayan Jena from Chadrasekharpur, wrote, "The numerous drain construction projects currently underway in Bhubaneswar have significantly disrupted daily life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo Roads have been excavated, and the resulting clay makes them dangerously slippery. It seems the BMC could have planned these projects more effectively. Ideally, they should have been completed before the peak rainy season or scheduled to start after the rains. " Behera Sahi spans from Gate 1 of Kalinga Stadium on one side to the Iskcon Temple on the other. In between, the internal roads either are pothole-filled, narrow or construction has been going on for a long time. Mayor Sulochana Das said she has instructed the works department to expedite the construction. "I know the ongoing work is causing a little inconvenience. I told the officer concerned to fix it. There were several issues, including encroachment, which delayed road work on the stretch. Unless the drain work is finished, the road can't be constructed. So, it got delayed. But people will be relieved as measures will be taken to resolve the issues," Das told TOI.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Bhubaneswar BJD Corporator Arrested In Rape Case, Suspended From Party
Bhubaneswar: BJD corporator of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Amaresh Jena, was arrested from Balasore district on Sunday in connection with a rape case lodged against him in the state capital, police said. Jena, a prominent BJD leader was booked under the BNS sections 64(2) (rape), 89 (committing miscarriage without woman's permission), 296 (obscene act), and 352 (criminal intimidation), besides section 6 of the POCSO Act, at the Laxmisagar police station, where the survivor lodged a complaint on Wednesday, the police said. As Jena was not available at his house and possible locations in the city and remained incommunicado, the police formed a special squad and launched a manhunt for the fugitive BJD leader. "Finally, he was located at a village under Berhampur police station limit in Nilgiri area in Balasore and apprehended by the special squad," a police officer said, adding that he was being brought to Bhubaneswar. A senior officer said that Jena was staying in a village in Nilgiri area, which is close to the forest, with the aim of escaping to the jungle if there was any police raid to apprehend him. However, he could not because the operation was carried out very secretly, the officer added. Immediately after his arrest, the BJD issued an office order stating that: "Amaresh Jena, Corporator, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, is hereby suspended from Biju Janata Dal with immediate effect." BJD Bhubaneswar president Ashok Panda told reporters on Sunday that Jena's suspension will not affect the party. "No one is indispensable for BJD. It is party first. I reiterate that law will take its own course." He said the BJD has acted immediately as soon as Jena was arrested by police. "The BJD stands by its pro-women ideology. Jena's arrest will in no way damage BJD. It is a huge party with thousands of workers and leaders. He is an accused and will go through the legal process," Mr Panda said. On Saturday night, the police arrested five aides of Jena on charges of harbouring him. The police said the five persons provided conveyance and assisted Amresh Jena in evading arrest. The five arrested individuals hail from various parts of Khurda and Jagatsinghpur districts, and were forwarded to judicial custody after their bail pleas were rejected, they said. A 19-year-old woman in a written complaint at Laxmisagar police station had accused the BJD corporator of rape, foeticide, cheating, and criminal intimidation. Jena, while on the run, told a section of the media that he was "innocent" and "framed" by the ruling BJP. In her complaint, the survivor alleged that the corporator sexually exploited her with the promise of marriage when she was 17 years old. She claims that Jena took her to Puri, engaged in physical relations, and in February 2024, when she was still a minor, forced her to abort a two-month pregnancy by administering pills. The survivor also alleged that she was threatened and directed not to reveal the matter to anyone. Police have recorded the statement of the survivor, and she also underwent a medical test. Bhubaneswar police had this week arrested the state president of NSUI, Udit Pradhan, for allegedly raping an engineering student. He has also been suspended from the party.
