Odisha News Today

New Delhi, Aug 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a phone conversation with US Vice‑President JD Vance, focusing on ways to further deepen the India‑US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The leaders reviewed cooperation across key sectors including trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security, and critical minerals. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to sustained high‑level engagement. During the call, Prime Minister Modi warmly congratulated Vice‑President Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, on the birth of their son, extending best wishes to the family. Also read: What Changed After Sukhbir Badal Met PM Modi After Five Years? Sharing details on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote: “Received a phone call from US Vice‑President JD Vance. We discussed ways to further deepen India‑US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas. Warmly congratulated him and the Second Lady on the birth of their son and conveyed best wishes to the entire family.” According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders noted the strong momentum in bilateral ties and emphasized accelerating cooperation in strategic domains. The conversation builds on recent high‑level exchanges, including the July meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Manila. On the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meetings, Rubio and Jaishankar agreed to fast‑track defence agreements and finalize an interim bilateral trade deal, which Washington described as “almost complete.” They also reviewed developments in the Middle East and Indo‑Pacific, underscoring shared concerns and strategic alignment. The PMO highlighted that these engagements reflect the growing convergence between New Delhi and Washington on global and regional issues, while advancing cooperation in defence and technology. (IANS)

Bhubaneswar, Aug 9: Bhubaneswar’s growing urban sprawl has brought with it a surge in vehicles, leading to chaotic and unauthorized parking across residential lanes. The congestion has become so severe that normal traffic flow is often brought to a standstill, with cars lined up along narrow streets and residents struggling to find space in front of their own homes. To address this persistent problem, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to roll out a new Paid Parking System in residential zones. Also read: Odisha Bags Rs 66,392 Crore Investment Proposals in Just 2 Days Under this initiative, vacant government land and open spaces in each ward will be identified and developed into designated parking lots. Residents without private garages or parking facilities will be able to park their vehicles in these spaces for a nominal fee. For convenience, BMC plans to introduce daily, monthly, and annual passes, ensuring flexibility for vehicle owners. The scheme is expected not only to streamline traffic movement but also to generate additional revenue for the civic body. According to officials, commercial establishments using government land for parking will also be charged, while private land may be rented and converted into parking lots to meet rising demand. This structured approach aims to bring order to the city’s parking system, which has long been plagued by disorderly practices. With Bhubaneswar expanding rapidly and vehicle numbers rising in tandem, the lack of organized parking has become a major civic concern. Residents often complain of being inconvenienced by cars blocking lanes and entrances. The new initiative, if implemented effectively, could provide a sustainable solution to the city’s parking woes. BMC believes the paid parking plan will not only ease congestion but also instil discipline among vehicle owners, ensuring smoother traffic flow.