National park closed

Kendrapara (PTI): With the onset of the breeding season of estuarine crocodiles, the authorities on Monday closed Bhitarkanika National Park for three months. Tourists will be able to come back to Bhitarkanika from August 1, said a national park official.

Human interference would disturb the breeding animals and the reptiles often turn violent and attack intruders during the breeding period. This is why the tourism ban is in place, said officials. According to the latest head count, 1,671 estuarine crocodiles live along Bhitarkanika's water bodies.

Start-up plan

Keonjhar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched a startup Odisha portal. Patnaik said that the portal was a one-stop platform for start-ups, incubators and investors in the state for registration and availing of benefits under the Odisha Startup policy. He also expressed hope that the portal would act as a catalyst in boosting the start-up ecosystem in the state and help in achieving the mission -1000 startups by 2020

Road accident

Bhubaneswar: Two people were killed and four were injured when an SUV collided head-on with a stationary truck near Bhatapada in Salipur of Cuttack on Sunday night. The mishap took place when the deceased, identified as Pramod Palei and Debasish Ray of Dikhsitpada village in Asureshwara, along with four others were returning in the car from Mahanadi Vihar in Cuttack after attending a wedding. While Pramod and Debasish died on the spot, the four suffered serious injuries. They have been admitted to SCB Hospital in Cuttack.