Bhubaneswar: At least 46 students hailing from Odisha have been safely evacuated from Jammu and Kashmir following the recent escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan. The successful return of these students was facilitated by the active support and prompt action of the State Government.
Once information reached at State Headquarters, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi asked officials to take immidiate steps and CMO monitored the evacuation arrangments.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, ACS Home, Satyabrata Sahu, PS to CM Manoj Sahu, Principal Secretary Commerce & Transport, Usha Padhee chalked out evacuation plan.
The Resident Commissioner of Odisha in Delhi played a crucial role in coordinating the smooth evacuation and ensuring the students’ transportation to Bhubaneswar. Subsequently, the State Transport Authority (STA) took charge of their onward journey, guaranteeing their safe return to their respective native places across the state.
The swift response was initiated following directives from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, prompting the Commerce and Transport Department to immediately arrange necessary transportation and support for the concerned students.
Providing regular updates on the situation via social media platform X, the STA detailed the arrival of students at various railway stations in Odisha. According to their posts, 18 students reached Bhubaneswar on the Sampark Kranti Express, while another eight arrived at Jharsuguda on the Kalinga Utkal Express. These students were provided assistance, including police support, to reach their homes safely.
Furthermore, two students safely reached Balasore station on the Nilachal Express, and another five arrived at Cuttack railway station, with one more reaching Balasore on the Tejas Express. Additionally, five students from Jammu and Kashmir reached Jajpur Road station on the Sampark Kranti Express, four arrived in Bhadrak, and another three reached Balasore railway station.
Upon reaching their nearest railway stations, the students were met by police and transport officials who ensured they were safely dropped off at their homes.
Transport Department Principal Secretary Usha Padhee commended the efforts of the staff involved, stating on X, “Doing our bit to support those in need. Kudos to the @CTOdisha team for facilitating smooth transit of students arriving from Jammu to their respective destinations across Odisha.”
Meanwhile, in light of the prevailing situation, the State Government has heightened security measures at vital installations across Odisha and has cancelled the leaves of all Revenue Divisional Commissioners (RDCs), District Magistrates (DMs), and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers with immediate effect.
Official sources confirmed a significant strengthening of security arrangements at critical locations such as the Army Air Defence College near Gopalpur, the ordnance factory in Balangir, the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore district, INS Chilka, and the Indian Rare Earths Limited (IERL) near Chhatrapur.
Tight security arrangements have also been implemented in crowded areas including Bhubaneswar airport, railway station, the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, and the Hirakud dam in Sambalpur. Police personnel have been deployed at these locations, conducting thorough checks of all individuals at entry points.
In a related development, the Hirakud reservoir has been closed to visitors indefinitely following the overnight military conflict with Pakistan.