On Wednesday, the Odisha government approved a new policy aimed at accelerating city gas distribution projects to enhance the infrastructure for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) throughout the state. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's Cabinet approved this initiative, which seeks to address challenges like multi-agency approvals and the absence of a unified framework. Chief Secretary Anu Garg stated that the policy will facilitate faster project implementation and is expected to attract private investment, create jobs, and improve the ease of doing business in Odisha. Additionally, the government proposed a one-time moratorium on approval fees until March 2027, ensuring no financial burden on the state. This initiative is seen as a significant move towards energy security and environmental sustainability. The Cabinet also approved the Odisha State Data Policy 2.0, aimed at establishing a robust data governance framework to enhance the accuracy and reliability of data used in public welfare programs. Furthermore, a bridge over the Kathajodi River will be constructed to improve connectivity between Cuttack city and Bhubaneswar at a cost of ₹158.88 crore (approximately $19.2 million USD), expected to be completed within 36 months.