Debraj Meher
District Correspondent, Sambalpur
Debraj Meher reports on Sambalpur district's civic affairs, the Hirakud dam command area, and the region's handloom economy. He has been the Mirror's Sambalpur correspondent since 2021.
Articles by Debraj Meher
Sambalpur’s Hikpali School Struggles With Only Three Classrooms for 110 Students
Hikpali School in Sambalpur has only three classrooms for 110 students, causing overcrowding and rainy‑season leaks.
Sambalpur MP Seeks C-DAC Centre at GMU, STPI Expansion
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the Union IT minister to set up a C-DAC centre at GMU and expand the STPI facility to boost western Odisha’s tech ecosystem.
Zero Connectivity Hampers Maternal Health in Odisha's Baghalat Village
Lack of a motorable road in Baghalat village forces pregnant women and students to trek miles during monsoon, endangering health and education.
Odisha Vigilance arrests former college principal in Rs 73.44 lakh fund misuse case
Sambalpur Vigilance team detained former Laida College principal Basanta Kumar Nayak on Aug 26, 2026, over alleged government fund misuse.
Fake Railway Employee Arrested in Sambalpur, 12 Stolen Phones Seized
Sambalpur railway police arrested 21‑year‑old Dinesh Nag for posing as a railway employee and stealing 12 mobile phones from passengers on trains.
Fake Railway Employee Arrested in Sambalpur, 12 Phones Seized
Sambalpur railway police arrested 21‑year‑old Dinesh Nag for posing as a railway employee and stealing 12 mobile phones from night train passengers.
Sambalpur Police Arrest Fake Railway Staffer, Seize 12 Phones
Sambalpur railway police arrested 21‑year‑old Dinesh Nag for posing as an employee and stealing phones, recovering 12 devices and forged IDs.
Fake Railway Employee Arrested in Sambalpur, 12 Phones Seized
Sambalpur police arrested a youth posing as a railway employee, seizing 12 stolen phones, a forged ID, uniform, whistle and green flag.
Bargarh Dhanu Yatra: The Majestic History of the World's Largest Open-Air Theatre
Explore the history of Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, the world's largest open-air theatre festival. Learn about the transformation of Bargarh into Mathura, King Kansa's rule, and cultural legacy.
Chaulbara: The Culinary Crown Jewel of Western Odisha Street Food
Discover Chaulbara, the iconic crispy rice-and-black-gram street food of Western Odisha. Learn its history, recipe, cultural significance, and best spots to eat in Sambalpur.
Odisha explores integrated University Township for Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Koraput
Odisha’s state government has begun exploring an integrated University Township that would combine education, research, skill development and industry, with Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Koraput under consideration.
Odisha to Bid for University Township in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Koraput
Odisha government will bid for a university township, considering Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Koraput as potential sites.
Odisha Considers University Township in Bhubaneswar Sambalpur Koraput
Odisha government has started exploring an integrated University Township in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Koraput to combine education, research, skill development and industry under a PPP model.
Sambalpur MP Seeks Gadkari's Help for NH-55 Repairs
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to repair monsoon‑damaged NH-55, highlighting disrupted west‑coast Odisha travel and safety risks.
Sambalpur MP urges Gadkari to repair damaged NH-55 in Odisha
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to repair damaged NH-55 after monsoon rains caused potholes, disrupting connectivity between western and coastal Odisha.
Odisha Explores Integrated University Township in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Koraput
Odisha has initiated plans for an integrated University Township in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Koraput, proposing eight greenfield universities under a PPP model.
Pradhan Urges Gadkari to Repair Damaged NH-55 in Odisha
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to immediately repair NH-55, citing severe potholes and connectivity disruption.
Odisha Orphaned Student Blocked from Scholarship by Documents
Eighteen-year-old orphan Karan struggles to access scholarships and disability benefits in Odisha due to conflicting identity documents from his time in institutional care.
Youth Murdered Near Pataneshwari Temple in Sambalpur, Two Detained
A youth was murdered near Pataneshwari Temple in Sambalpur on Tuesday night, prompting police to detain two suspects amid rising local tension.
Lizard in Patient Food Prompts Sambalpur DHH to Issue New Tender
A dead lizard in patient food prompted Sambalpur DHH to fine the contractor, issue a show-cause notice and start a fresh tender for food services.
Odisha flood situation grim as rivers rise, IMD warns of more rain
Odisha's northern districts face worsening floods after heavy rain, with 9.4 lakh affected and 3.3 lakh evacuated, as IMD predicts more rain.
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates ₹62 crore development projects in Talcher
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated ₹62 crore worth of development projects in Talcher, focusing on roads, education, health, agriculture and local benefits.
NHRC seeks ATR from Sambalpur DM on fatal NH-55 accident
NHRC has directed Sambalpur's district magistrate to submit an action taken report within four weeks on allegations that an illegal speed breaker caused the NH-55 accident that killed 60-year-old Rajanikanth Nayak.
Nirmal Ghosh arrested in Sambalpur over RG Kar cremation case
Former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh was arrested in Sambalpur over alleged involvement in the hurried cremation of the RG Kar rape‑murder victim.
Sambalpur elephant death, ABVP protests at Ravenshaw University, waterlogging crisis dominate 3PM headlines
Sambalpur elephant death, ABVP protests at Ravenshaw University, and waterlogging crisis were the top headlines in Kanak News 3PM bulletin on August 11, 2026.
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan responds to BJD 'Go Back' campaign
Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan rejected the BJD's 'Go Back' campaign on Saturday, stating he will continue to work for Odisha's people despite political opposition.
Dharmendra Pradhan vows to protect Odisha's pride amid BJD protests
Dharmendra Pradhan said he will never allow Odisha's pride and self-respect to be compromised while addressing a gathering at Rairakhol in Sambalpur.
Accor Signs Novotel Sambalpur City Centre to Open in 2031
Accor has signed a deal for Novotel Sambalpur City Centre, set to open in 2031.
Odia Labourer Attacked, Throat Slit in Sambalpur's Naktideul
An Odia labourer was attacked and his throat slit in Sambalpur's Naktideul.
Transport Department Expands Electronic Surveillance of Traffic in Odisha
Odisha transport department expands electronic surveillance of traffic to 4 new stretches, issuing e-challans for speeding and other traffic violations.
Flood Alert: Mahanadi swells at Mundali after Hirakud water reaches Cuttack
Water level of Mahanadi rises at Mundali in Cuttack as floodwater from Hirakud dam, released through 22 gates, reaches the barrage.
Heavy rain damages Sambalpur bridge, cuts off three villages
A bridge over the Katanga nullaha in Sambalpur district collapsed after floodwaters flowed over it, isolating three villages.
High-level meeting outlines long-term plan to fix Sambalpur waterlogging
MP Dharmendra Pradhan led a virtual meeting on July 31, 2026, to draft a long-term plan for Sambalpur’s drainage, water supply and waste management to end recurring waterlogging.
Hirakud Dam to release 3.5 lakh cusecs via 22 gates in Odisha floods
Hirakud Dam will release 3.5 lakh cusecs through 22 gates by evening due to rising inflows from Chhattisgarh, affecting downstream areas and nearly seven lakh people across 20 districts.
Hirakud Dam Opens 10 More Sluice Gates After Heavy Rain in Mahanadi Catchment
Hirakud Dam opened 10 extra sluice gates on July 31, 2026, to curb rising water levels after heavy rainfall in the Mahanadi upper catchment.
Sambalpur University, OKCL sign MoU to advance AI, digital education
Sambalpur University and OKCL signed an MoU to advance AI, digital education, skill development, research and innovation in line with NEP 2020.
Sambalpur set for modern inter-state bus terminal worth over Rs 60 crore
Sambalpur will develop a modern inter-state bus terminal on five acres at Ainthapali, with parking for 46 buses, EV charging and a commercial complex, at over Rs 60 crore.
Sambalpur scientist promotes organic farming to curb disease
Sambalpur-born scientist Shitikantha Behera promotes an integrated organic farm to curb lifestyle diseases linked to chemical fertilisers in Western Odisha.
Odisha initiates mayor election process for Sambalpur, Puri Municipal Corporations
Odisha government issues draft notification for mayor elections in Sambalpur and Puri, with reservation proposals inviting public feedback.
Sambalpur researcher Shubham Sahu wins global power electronics award
Shubham Sahu, a Sambalpur-native associate professor at Aalborg University, has been selected for the 2026 Richard M Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award.