Bhubaneswar development halts Mahisakhal Slum Housing

04 Oct 2023 CW Team

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has announced its decision to suspend the remaining work on the slum redevelopment housing project that was initiated at Mahisakhal in Badagada. This project aimed to provide rehabilitation for the residents of nearby slums. The BDA had undertaken this project in 2013 under the former Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) scheme. According to the plan, a G+4-storied building was approved for construction to accommodate slum dwellers. The project intended to build 19 blocks, comprising nearly 700 dwelling units. Initially, the BDA had hired a private contractor to commence the construction. Work on approximately 15 blocks was successfully completed. However, due to land issues and subsequent financial constraints, the construction of the remaining four blocks faced delays. During this period, a survey conducted by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) led to the allocation of houses in the 15 completed blocks to eligible slum dwellers. Nevertheless, several individuals were left homeless because the construction of the remaining four blocks could not be finished. Recently, a high-level meeting was convened to address the challenges associated with the project. In the meeting, BDA officials explained that the project's delay was primarily caused by complications in land acquisition and administrative issues with the private contractor. They also highlighted the problem of cost escalation. The officials stated that the BDA requires Rs 200.75 million to complete the construction of the remaining four blocks.

Real Estate

03 Apr 2026

Loomcraft Enters South India with Kerala Store Launch

Loomcraft has launched its exclusive store in Kerala, marking its entry into South India and a key step in its nationwide expansion strategy. The move targets a region driven by tourism and premium real estate demand, where outdoor spaces play a central role in hospitality and residential experiences.Kerala’s growing base of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, villas and gated communities has created strong demand for specialised outdoor furniture. However, the region has remained underserved, with buyers relying on imports or generic products not suited to humid, coastal and monsoon-heavy cond..

Mild Steel Prices Seen Rising to Rs 61,000 Per Tonne

Mild steel prices in India, currently around Rs 58,000 per tonne, are expected to rise to nearly Rs 61,000 per tonne in April, indicating an increase of about Rs 3,000 per tonne. The anticipated rise reflects structural pressures driven by geopolitical tensions, energy constraints and limited raw material availability.Ongoing global conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to LNG shortages that are affecting domestic steel production. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly those dependent on gas-based processes, are witnessing production cuts due to constrained energy supply, re..

Vedanta Expands Transgender Workforce to 75 Employees

Vedanta has strengthened its commitment to workplace inclusion by employing 75 transgender individuals across its businesses, including Vedanta Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc, Sesa Goa, FACOR and Cairn Oil & Gas. The initiative reflects sustained hiring efforts since 2022 to build equitable opportunities across operations, corporate and technical roles.Transgender employees are engaged in functions such as operations, finance, logistics, HR, CSR, healthcare and security, with provisions for internal mobility to support career progression. The company has implemented structured policies, includi..