12-Year Electoral Drought Ends? High Court Orders Sambalpur Civic Polls, Eyes on Rourkela and Puri

A fresh wave of optimism is sweeping through Sambalpur as the city edges closer to long-overdue municipal elections. The Odisha High Court has directed officials to issue a preliminary notification for the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation elections within six weeks, ending 12 years of administrative vacuum. Citizens, who have long expressed frustration over stalled urban growth, see this as a turning point.

Court’s Stern Intervention

The High Court’s directive came in response to a petition that exposed years of administrative inertia. Before the notification is published, the state government must submit a compliance report to the State Election Commission. Political leaders across party lines—BJP, BJD, and Congress—welcomed the order, describing it as a major victory for grassroots democracy. “This is the triumph of democratic representation,” said a senior BJP leader.

Ripple Effect Across Rourkela and Puri

The court’s intervention has triggered demands for similar action in Rourkela and Puri, where municipal aspirations remain on hold. Rourkela, declared a municipal corporation in 2014, has never had an election or a mayor. Despite ward delimitation challenges, elections have been stalled, leaving bureaucrats in charge.

In Puri, the state’s spiritual capital, residents from temple priests to beach vendors are also pressing for elections. While ministers have assured that preparations will begin “soon,” the absence of a concrete timeline has left citizens restless.

Stalled Development and Rising Discontent

The prolonged absence of elected representatives has hampered civic development in all three cities. Projects like road repairs, sanitation, and waste management have suffered. Overflowing drains and neglected infrastructure highlight the shortcomings of bureaucratic control. “We’re tired of officials running the show without any checks,” said Ramesh Sahu, a Sambalpur shopkeeper, echoing frustrations shared in Rourkela’s industrial areas and Puri’s pilgrim zones.

A Turning Point or More Delays?

As the six-week deadline approaches, the state government faces pressure to act decisively. Citizens wonder whether Sambalpur’s breakthrough will set a precedent for Rourkela and Puri, ushering in an era of accountability and elected leadership, or whether bureaucratic hurdles will continue to stall progress. For now, hope runs high as residents await the return of democratic governance to their cities.