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I did a bit of research to figure out how to get a voter id in Odisha for someone who is from a rural area but now living in my parents place. This is what I found.

After elections are announced traveling voting registration camps are organized in various places and one can go there to do a new voter registration or update their voter registration data.

However, the voter registration ID (or some acceptable ID) may be needed for many other things (such as to open a bank account) and one may not have the luxury to wait till the next election. In that case, one may follow the procedure given below.

1. Fill the form at http://eci.gov.in/eci_main/forms/form6.pdf and submit it to the ERO (Electoral registration Officer) of the Assembly Constituency where one is currently living. (This information is from http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/Elecroll.aspx.)
2. The list of EROs in Odisha is given at http://ceoorissa.nic.in/ERO.htm. For example, the ERO of Bhubanewar is Sri Saroj Ku. Samal, Sub-Collector,Bhubaneswar, Pin-751014, Phone: 0674 2432301 / 2397728 / 2432301 / 9437226644.
3. Some of the documents that may be needed are:
   • Matric/school certificate with DOB (See 5-iii in the from) [for Proof of Name; age; DOB]
   • Postal department’s posts received / delivered in the applicant’s name at the given address. (See 8-iv in the form) [for Proof of Address]

The above pointers have more details.

The following is extracted from the budget speech and the Pinkbook. This is an initial cut-n-paste. Will do a more extensive posting on this in the weekend.

From the budget speech:

List of 41 new lines proposed to be completed in 2011-12:-

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12. Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh (Part)

13. Khurda Road – Begunia (Part)

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List of new line projects targeted for completion in 2012-13

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16. Begunia-Nayagarh
17. Talcher-Sunakhani

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List of 55 Doubling Works for completion during 2011-12:-

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26. Dumetra-Champajharan

27. Banspani-Jaroli

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List of 67 Doubling Works for completion during 2012-13:-

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16. Delang-Sakhigopal

18. Angul-Kerejang

56. Jenapur-Jakhapura

66. Cuttack-Barang
67. Rajatgarh-Barang

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List of 23 new Doubling Projects sanctioned in 2012-13:-

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19. Manoharpur – Bandamuda 3rd Line

22. Bhadrak – Nergundi 3rd Line

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List of 21 new Surveys for Doubling Projects sanctioned in 2012-13:-

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12. 3rd line between Kharagpur and Bhadrak

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List of 10 new Railway Electrification Projects sanctioned in 2012-13:

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2. Titlagarh–Sambhalpur-Jharsuguda and Angul-Sambalpur

From the pink book:

• New lines: Angul – Sukinda – 2 crores
• New lines: Daitari – Bansapani – 10 crores
• New lines: Haridaspur-Paradeep – 2 crores
• New lines: Khurda Rd – Balangir – 40 crores
• New lines: Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh – 12 crores
• New lines: Talcher – Bimlagarh – 30 crores
• Doubling: Jharsuguda – Rengali – 25 crores
• Doubling: Sambalpur – Rengali – 5 crores
• Third line: Khurda Rd – Barang – 10.5 crores
• Doubling: Cuttack – Barang – 25 crores
• Doubling: Sambalpur – Talcher – 40 crores
• Doubling: Delang – Puri – 40 crores
• Doubling : Sambalpur – Titlagarh – 130 crores
• Doubling: Raipur – Titlagarh – 100 crores
• Doubling: Bansapani – Jakhapura – 100 crores
• Doubling: Rajathagarh – Barang – 10.5 crores
• Third line: Bhadrak – Nergundi – 1 crores
• New line: Digha – Jaleswar – 10 crores
• Doubling: Padapahar – Bansapani – 1 crore
• Doubling: Bansapani – Jaroli – 8 crores
• Doubling: Barbil – Barjamda – 1.5 crores
• Doubling: Bimlagarh – Dumetra – 9 crores
• Doubling: Champajharan – Bimlagarh – 25 crores
• Third line: Manoharpur – Bondamunda – 1 crores

Following are some of the trains mentioned in this budget that will connect Odisha. The ones in red are of special interest. My comments are in blue.

New Trains:

2. Secunderabad-Shalimar AC Express (Weekly) via Vijayawada [** Introduced May 28 2013 **]
18. Barbil-Chakradharpur Intercity Express (Daily) via Dongoaposi, Jhinkpani [I expect this to be extended to Rourkela or even Sambalpur.] [** Introduced July 15 2012 **]
29. Bikaner-Puri Express (Weekly) via Jaipur,Kota,Katni Murwara, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur [This will be the first connection between Bhubaneswar/Puri and Bikaner and second between Bhubanswar/Puri and Jaipur.][** Introduced April 18 2013 **]
30. Secunderabad-Darbhanga Express (Bi-weekly) via Ballarshah, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Ranchi, Jhajha [This will increase the connectivity between JSG/ROU and Hyderabad to 3 days a week.] [** Introduced July 11 2012 **]

31. Bilaspur-Patna Express (Weekly) via Asansol, Jhajha [** Introduced July 6 2012 **]
33. Bhubaneswar-Bhawanipatna Link Express (Daily) via Vizianagaram [First train to/from Bhawanipatna.] [** Introduced August 11 2012 **]
34. Puri-Yesvantpur Garib Rath Express (Weekly) via Visakhapatnam, Guntur [** Introduced July 20 2012 **]
36. Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express (Weekly) via Visakhapatnam,Gudur. [** Introduced July 14 2012 **]
37. Visakhapatnam-Lokmanya Tilak(T) Express (Weekly) via Titlagarh,Raipur [First connectivity between Rayagada/Kesinga and Mumbai. ] [** Introduced July 15 2012 **]
45. Shalimar-Chennai Express (Weekly) [More connectivity between Chennai and Puri/Bhubaneswar] [** Introduced June 23 2012 **]
53. Durg-Jagdalpur Express (Tri-Weekly) via Titlagarh [First connectivity between Koraput/Jeypore and Raipur.] [** Introduced October 10 2012 **]
68. Chennai-Puri Express (Weekly) [More connectivity between Chennai and Puri/Bhubaneswar] [** Introduced July 22 2012 **]
70. Asansol-Chennai Express (Weekly) via Purulia, Sambalpur,Vizianagaram [** Introduced July 28 2012 **]
71. Shalimar-Bhuj Express (Weekly) via Bilaspur, Katni, Bhopal[** Introduced April 20, 2013 **]

74. Malda Town-Surat Express ( Weekly) via Rampur Hat, Asansol, Nagpur [** Introduced July 9 2012 **]

Passenger trains:

5. Gunupur-Palasa (Via Parlakhemundi) Passenger (Daily) [** Introduced July 21 2012 **]

DEMU:
1. Baripada-Bangriposi (Daily) [** Introduced July 13 2012 **]

Extension of Trains:

4. 18417/18418 Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda Rajya Rani Express to Rourkela [** Introduced July 17 2012 **]
13. 18005/18006 Howrah-Koraput Express to Jagdalpur [Connects Jeypore to Howrah.][** Introduced July 30 2012 **]
23. 58207/58208 Raipur-Kesinga Passenger to Bhawanipatna [Second connectivity to Bhawanipatna.][** Introduced August 12 2012 **]

Increase in Frequency:

13. 22603/22604 Kharagpur-Villupuram Express from 1 to 2 days. [More connectivity between Chennai and Puri/Bhubaneswar][** From April 10 2013 **]

Following is from the PIB report at http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=80759.

Odisha Chief Minister calls on Civil Aviation Minister

Civil Aviation Ministry to process the proposal for upgradation of Bhubaneswar Airport to International Airport

New Domestic Terminal Building to be ready by August

The Union Civil Aviation Minister Ch. Ajit Singh has said that the proposal of Odisha Government for the upgradation of Biju Patnayak Domestic Airport Bhubaneswar to International Airport will be processed by his Ministry for seeking the Cabinet approval.Ch. Ajit Singh said this today in a meeting with Odisha Chief Minister, Shri Navin Patnayak in New Delhi.

Ch. Ajit Singh has agreed to consider the proposal of upgradation of Bhubaneswar Airport and seek the Cabinet approval for the same in keeping with the State’s Tourism potential including famous Buddhist sites and monuments. Odisha is also rich in biodiversity, natural resources and mines which strengthens the claim of Bhubaneswar Airport to be upgraded as International Airport.

The new Domestic Terminal Building at Biju Patnayak Airport Bhubaneswar which is likely to be completed by August 2012, will cater to 800 passengers against the capacity of 500 of the present terminal building. The new terminal building will be completed at the cost of Rs 145.54 Crores and will include extension of Apron for additional one ‘D’ type and two ‘C’ type bay.

The Civil Aviation Minister, among other things, also discussed the issues relating to construction of main approach road from Sachivalaya Main Road to Airport, land acquisition of 22 acres for extension of basic strip upto 300 mtrs., land acquisition of 141 acres for extension of runway from 9000 ft to 10,500 ft., and the proposal for development and operationalisation of Jharsuguda Airport in phased manner, initially for ATR 72-500 type of aircraft operations and subsequently for AB0321.

The above PIB report is probably based on the Civil Aviation ministry’s release. The Odisha government’s release is in the news report http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=32449. Following is from that report.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today met the  Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ajit Singh, in New Delhi. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha informed the  Union Minister for Civil Aviation that Odisha does not have adequate air connectivity which acts as a major impediment to the industrialisation process and the growth of tourist traffic in the State.

He mentioned that the State does not have even a single International Airport and is managing with only one operational Domestic Airport at Bhubaneswar. The Chief Minister highlighted that the State has witnessed a significant spurt in investment in various industrial sectors and offers incredible tourist destinations including the World Heritage Monument, the Sun Temple Konark, the world famous Shri Jagannath Temple at Puri, many beautiful beaches and the largest Brackish water Lake, Chilka. He, accordingly, stressed upon the urgent need to scale up infrastructural support to the Aviation Sector in the State, both from the equity standpoint and the development perspective.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to declare Biju Patnaik Airport as an International Airport at the earliest and provide the required facilities including an International Terminal with 24X7 ATC operations, customs and immigration facilities and security, etc. He asserted that the Ministry of Civil Aviation may accord early clearance to those Airlines which are interested to operate International flights to and from Bhubaneswar.

He also requested the Union Minister for providing necessary infrastructural support to the Jharsuguda Airport for enabling Domestic Airlines to operate from there. Chief Minister stated that the Airport Authority of India may also have a closer look at the other existing Airports in Odisha and provide the required infrastructural support to make the feasible Airports operational for Domestic Airlines. This, he stated, would improve the air connectivity within the State.

The Chief Minister assured that the State will provide all necessary support to the Ministry of Civil Aviation/ Airport Authority of India in their task of upgrading Bhubaneswar Airport to an International Airport and in making other Domestic Airports in the State operational.  Union Minister appreciated the concerns of Odisha and assured that his Ministry will immediately prepare a Note for seeking the approval of the Cabinet for upgrading Biju Patnaik Airport to an International Airport.

For Jharsuguda Airport, the Union Minister stated that the length of the Airstrip will be increased to the desired minimum to make it operational for domestic airlines, at the earliest. He also assured the Hon’ble Chief Minister that his Ministry will actively explore the possibility of connecting Bhubaneswar to the Middle East and South East Asian countries. The Union Minister added that the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and Union Tourism Ministry will work closely with the State Government to host an Aviation/ Tourism Conference in Bhubaneswar for promoting tourist traffic to the State and assured that every possible support will be made to project Odisha as a world class tourist destination.

Note that in December during the Invest Bhubaneswar symposium flydubai had categorically said that if they get a slot from India to fly to/from Bhubaneswar then they will fly Bhubaneswar – Dubai.

Following is from Dharitri.

Following is an excerpt from an article in Pioneer.

In the biodiversity management, three eco-tourism destination sites were developed in Satkosia, Bhitarakaniaka and Similipal. Community reserves and heritage sites were developed in five places. Bichitrapur mangrove area near Jaleswar, Rissia wildlife sanctuary in Baleswar wildlife division, Mandasaur in Phulbani forest division, Khasada waterfall, Black Pepper plantations, Gandahati waterfall and Red Sanders plantations in Paralakhemindi Forest Division were taken up for development as  new eco-tourism destinations.