Odisha ends contract with firm after flyover collapse
Bhubaneswar, May 7: The Odisha government on Monday decided to annul a contract with Panda Infra Projects Ltd after a portion of a flyover under construction at Bomikhal here caved last week, killing a labourer.
"The government has decided to disengage Panda Infra Private Ltd from the construction of the Bomikhal flyover with immediate effect," said Works Department Secretary Nalinikanta Pradhan.
He said the government will initiate further legal action against the company after the department receives the final report on the collapse from an expert team.
"The company could not carry out the project work properly even after another mishap last year. An investigation by a third party will be conducted prior to the flyover inauguration," said Pradhan.
Pradhan said that the project's remaining work will be carried out by a new contractor within 2-3 months.
"A tender to complete the remaining project work will be either awarded to another contractor or may be taken up by the department itself. A final decision will be taken after considering all aspects and getting a detailed report," Pradhan added.
One labourer was killed and another sustained serious injuries when the flyover's portion collapsed on May 3 night. In September last year, a portion of the same flyover had collapsed, killing one person.
Company owner Pratap Kishore Panda was arrested in the case.
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India Today Anchor Rahul Kanwal lectures on US media bias, gets trolled by Indian viewers
New Delhi: India Today’s anchor and News Director Rahul Kanwal found himself at the center of a social media storm following his remarks on perceived bias in the US media’s coverage of the ongoing presidential election.
In his post, Kanwal highlighted what he saw as clear polarization within the American media, using CNN and Fox News as examples. He claimed that CNN made it appear as though Kamala Harris was receiving widespread support from independents and even some Republicans, while Fox News portrayed Donald Trump as holding a winning edge. Kanwal added that “neutral viewers” might be left confused over which channel represented the real scenario, emphasizing that journalists should leave personal biases aside and aim to present a balanced view.
However, Kanwal’s criticism of US media immediately sparked backlash from Indian social media users, who pointed to the irony in his remarks given India Today’s own reputation. The channel, along with others, is often accused of pro-government bias, and users wasted no time in calling out what they saw as Kanwal’s double standards.
One user sarcastically remarked that, by watching India Today’s coverage, “one would think Modi is winning not only in India but in US and Canada as well,” mocking the channel’s alleged inclination to support the ruling BJP. The comment clearly highlighted what many viewers see as an overt bias in Indian media coverage that often portrays Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in a favorable light, regardless of the topic.
Another comment urged Kanwal to “start with himself” if he truly believed that journalists should leave personal biases outside the newsroom. The commenter implied that Kanwal’s own reporting was far from neutral and questioned the integrity of his critique of American journalists. This response echoed the sentiment of many others, who felt that Kanwal’s post ignored the role he himself plays within the alleged “Godi Media,” a term used to describe Indian news channels perceived to be compliant with government narratives.
Further, one viewer took issue with Kanwal’s focus on US media, questioning why he seemed more concerned with perceived biases abroad than addressing the issues in his own country. “Godi media talking about media bias in the US?” the comment read. “Why don’t you guys do your own job honestly first rather than working against your own country and fooling your audience, then worry about other countries?” This comment struck a chord with other users, who agreed that Kanwal’s focus seemed misplaced, especially given the state of Indian media.
In a similar vein, another comment read, “Thankfully in India, all channels sing only one song, leaving no scope for any confusion. And dude, you talking about personal biases is a little too much.” The remark appeared to address the lack of diversity in perspectives among Indian news outlets, suggesting that most channels convey a single narrative favoring the government, leaving no room for viewers to experience confusion over where each network stands.
Several commenters went further in their criticisms, openly questioning Kanwal’s credibility as a journalist. One user bluntly stated, “What a joke, when you guys do the same during our elections. Take ownership of what you say because soon media will be considered a platform for only comedy.” This comment highlighted the growing skepticism viewers feel toward the news media, warning that unless journalists start to practice what they preach, the media’s credibility may be beyond repair.
Another comment directed at Kanwal was especially sharp, calling him “spineless” and accusing him of operating on instructions from his employers rather than covering real issues independently. “Firstly, Mr. Rahul Kanwal, think about your honesty in your profession. You’re acting as per your employer's instruction, not on real issues. Spineless man, don’t give lectures to others,” the user wrote, suggesting that Kanwal’s journalistic independence was compromised.
