Overview
- The Works Department’s Engineer‑in‑Chief issued a formal letter on May 24 directing contractors to stop outdoor work between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to protect labourers from extreme heat.
- Contractors were told to provide shaded rest sheds, safe drinking water and first‑aid facilities at worksites and to immediately suspend work during the banned hours.
- Odisha Chief Electoral Officer R.S. Gopalan on May 25 revised Special Intensive Revision fieldwork hours to 6:00–11:00 a.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m. and barred visits from 12:00–3:00 p.m.
- The moves follow IMD data showing several Odisha locations above 45°C and Orange and Red heat warnings for districts through May 28–29, keeping official vigilance high.
- Officials were ordered to monitor compliance after media reports of violations, a step that may slow some construction and field operations but aims to reduce heat‑related illness among workers and staff.