Bhubaneswar News Roundup — 7 October 2026
Bhubaneswar marked a cultural milestone with the inauguration of the redeveloped Kalinga Studio while the state government unveiled plans for a Green Energy Centre of Excellence. Authorities deployed 18 platoons ahead of an Odisha bandh, and the Special Task Force raided medicine shops across the city over illegal drug sales.
🎬 Kalinga Studio Reopens After 27 Years
Bhubaneswar's iconic Kalinga Studio has been inaugurated after a 27-year closure, following a sweeping Rs 164 crore redevelopment presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. The historic studio, which fell dormant in the late 1990s, has been transformed into a modern production complex equipped with state-of-the-art facilities aimed at reviving and expanding the Odia film and entertainment industry. The inauguration was met with widespread enthusiasm from filmmakers, artists, and cultural organisations across the state who regard the studio's revival as a turning point for regional cinema. Adding further appeal to the complex, Bhubaneswar now hosts its first Snow World within the Kalinga Studio grounds, offering a novel recreational experience for city residents and visitors alike. The attraction is expected to draw families and tourists, adding a leisure dimension to the studio campus. Together, the redeveloped film facilities and the Snow World represent a major cultural and economic investment in Bhubaneswar's standing as a creative hub for Odisha. [8]
🏢 Odisha Plans Green Energy Centre of Excellence
The Odisha government has announced the creation of a Green Energy Centre of Excellence to be established at Bhubaneswar's World Skill Centre. The initiative reflects the state's ambition to become a leader in clean energy technology across eastern India, combining skill development with the fast-growing renewable energy sector. The centre will focus on disciplines including solar energy, wind power, and green hydrogen, with training programmes designed to match evolving demands of the energy industry. By embedding the centre within the World Skill Centre infrastructure, authorities aim to leverage existing vocational training capacity while building specialised expertise. The project is expected to draw partnerships from industry players and research institutions, enabling a curriculum aligned with both national and international clean energy standards. Officials indicated the centre will create a pipeline of qualified professionals for Odisha's expanding green energy projects, reinforcing the state's commitment to sustainable development and economic growth through the clean energy transition. [1]
STF Drug Raids and Bandh Security Grip the City
Bhubaneswar witnessed coordinated enforcement action as the Odisha Special Task Force and the Drug Control Bureau conducted raids on multiple medicine shops across the city over the illegal sale of controlled substances. The raids, carried out in response to intelligence about unauthorised dispensing of scheduled drugs, resulted in action against at least 137 chemist outlets statewide. Separately, the city was placed under heightened security ahead of an Odisha bandh call, with authorities deploying 18 platoons of police across key locations to maintain order and prevent disruption to public life. Businesses and transport services remained on alert as authorities worked to ensure smooth functioning throughout the bandh period. Adding to civic accountability concerns, the Odisha Vigilance department arrested a Revenue Inspector in Bhubaneswar while he was allegedly accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe. The combination of enforcement operations across health, public order, and anti-corruption fronts underlined the administration's active stance on multiple civic issues during the week. [6]
🎉 Urban Mobility Conference Showcases City Innovation
Bhubaneswar served as the venue for the Urban Mobility India Conference, where Odisha Yatri — a digital mobility startup — showcased its innovations in urban transportation. The conference brought together government agencies, industry stakeholders, and technology providers to explore solutions for sustainable and efficient city transport systems. Odisha Yatri's participation highlighted Bhubaneswar's growing role as a centre for smart city innovation, with the startup demonstrating its platform for integrating public transit, last-mile connectivity, and real-time commuter data. The event drew attention from urban planners and policymakers keen to adopt technology-driven approaches to mobility challenges in rapidly growing cities. The conference reflected Bhubaneswar's positioning as a forward-looking state capital that is actively investing in infrastructure modernisation and digital governance. Stakeholders noted that such platforms are essential for cities preparing for rapid urbanisation, and expressed interest in piloting some of the showcased mobility solutions across Bhubaneswar's expanding transit network in the near term. [10]
Sources: [8] OdishaBytes · [1] The New Indian Express · [6] KalingaTV · [10] prameyanews.com