Three BDA parks in Ward No. 15 of Bhubaneswar are facing severe maintenance issues. Parks in VIP Colony, Rental Colony, and Akshay Mohanty Park lack basic amenities like children's play equipment and yoga platforms. Residents complain about piled-up garbage, rusted gym equipment, and lack of drinking water. The BDA engineer stated that tenders have been called for improvements and sanitation work will be conducted soon. https://sambad.in/metro/bda-park-in-trouble-12182905

Protests were held in Puri, Odisha, demanding the resignations of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State Education Minister Nityanand Gond. The protestors, including members from CITU, Congress, and CPI, demanded the abolition of NTA, cancellation of NEP 2020, and expressed outrage over the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk. They also highlighted issues like NEET paper leaks and errors in state textbooks containing unscientific and unhistorical information. A massive rally was conducted from PKDA Square to the District Collector's office. https://odishatazanews.com/?p=208091

A new 160.18 km coastal highway connecting Rameshwar to Paradip is set to be constructed in Odisha at a cost of ₹8,300.79 crore. Spanning across Khordha, Puri, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur districts, the project includes a 4-lane access-controlled section from Rameshwar to Konark and a 2-lane section from Konark to Paradip. Designed for speeds up to 100 km/h, it aims to reduce travel time by 2.5 hours, boosting spiritual tourism to Jagannath and Konark temples, while promoting local economy and logistics through the PM Gati Shakti initiative. https://sambad.in/state/odisha-rameswaram-paradip-coastal-highway-rs-8300-crore-project-12182649

Several opposition leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Pawar, and Supriya Sule joined the CJP (Cockroach Janata Party) protest at Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak. West Bengal former CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her support and called for the opposition to unite under the INDIA alliance. SP MP Dimple Yadav also participated in the protest. Sharad Pawar criticized the police action against protesters, calling it undemocratic. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/neet-paper-leak-opposition-supports-cjp-protest-demands-12185574

The Odisha State Election Commission is gearing up for the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections, likely to be held in April or May. For the first time since 1994, a door-to-door survey will be conducted from October 26 to November 7 to prepare an error-free voter list. Final lists are expected by February 10, with official notifications likely in March. To prevent duplicate voting, a 'De-duplication Tool' will be used. The Commission has also ordered the repair of old ballot boxes and the procurement of 8,000 new ones. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/odisha-gears-up-for-panchayat-elections-with-massive-voter-survey-12185454

Odisha's prison system is set for a major upgrade with AI cameras being installed in all jails to monitor inmates and prevent disturbances. DG Prisons Sushant Nath announced the establishment of a model jail in Bhubaneswar and open-air jails in seven circles. To focus on rehabilitation, yoga instructors and mental health counselors have been appointed across various prisons. Additionally, the Prison Development Board decided to increase wall heights and enhance industrial training for over 1,600 inmates through small-scale industries. https://odishasambad.in/there-will-be-a-big-change-in-prison-security-open-jails-will-be-started-in-7-circle-jails-of-the-state/

According to the UDISE+ report, Odisha's primary education system is facing a severe shortage of teachers. Around 1,458 schools in the state are running with only a single teacher, affecting approximately 60,000 students. Koraput district is worst hit with 119 such schools. This trend has seen a 34% increase in the 2025-26 academic year. Protests have erupted in districts like Subarnapur and Ganjam where parents and students are demanding the filling of vacant posts. Nationally, over 1 lakh schools operate with a single teacher, with Andhra Pradesh topping the list. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/odisha-schools-face-teacher-shortages-as-thousands-of-students-depend-on-single-teachers-across-districts-12185460

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Management Information System (MIS) in selecting beneficiaries for the PM Awas Yojana in Odisha has sparked controversy. Despite ground surveys marking many as eligible, thousands of names—including 4,214 in Cuttack's Mahanga block alone—have been excluded during automated data verification. Reports from Gajapati, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts highlight the plight of families living in dilapidated huts or under polythene sheets who were removed from the list. Local officials state the process is automated via MIS, and re-investigation depends on further state government directives. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/pm-awas-survey-raises-questions-over-ai-powered-beneficiary-selection-12185486

Following a police lathi charge on students during the 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi regarding the NEET paper leak, several Bollywood celebrities including Bhumi Pednekar, Sonakshi Sinha, Diljit Dosanjh, and Hansal Mehta have voiced their support for the protesters. They emphasized that the voices of the youth regarding their education and future must be heard and urged for a peaceful resolution through dialogue rather than force. The stars took to social media to criticize the police action and demand a permanent solution to the paper leak issue. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/bollywood-celebrities-support-neet-paper-leak-protest-chalo-sansad-12185489

The Odisha government has installed AI-based cameras in 20 prisons to enhance security. These cameras will trigger alarms if inmates approach prison walls or engage in suspicious gatherings or brawls. Additionally, plans for 'Open Prisons' in 7 circle jails are underway to rehabilitate well-behaved inmates. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeeodisha/state-news/ai-cameras-to-boost-security-in-odisha-jails/3272432