The Ministry of Railways is expected to examine the feasibility of introducing Vande Bharat Express services connecting Sambalpur with Raipur and Ranchi, following a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as part of a broader master development plan for the western Odisha city.
The proposal is among several recommendations aimed at transforming Sambalpur into a regional growth hub through integrated transport, tourism, and infrastructure upgrades.
PMO Calls For Comprehensive Development Plan
In an official communication to the Odisha Chief Secretary, the PMO advised the state government to prepare a comprehensive development blueprint for Sambalpur with participation from central and state agencies, including NTPC, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), and various government departments, reported The New Indian Express.
The plan seeks to address key urban challenges, including deteriorating air quality, rising traffic congestion, and inadequate civic amenities.
The letter also highlighted that despite the district’s strong industrial base and academic institutions such as IIM Sambalpur, VSSUT, and Sambalpur University, it lags behind other major cities of the state in overall development.
The PMO has also recommended the construction of a helipad for emergency evacuation and aerial tourism, installation of AI-enabled surveillance cameras in public spaces, and deployment of e-rickshaws to reduce congestion.
City Drainage Plan Moves Parallel To National Proposals
Parallel to the PMO’s directive, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC), in June this year, submitted six revised Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for a Rs 2.46-crore citywide stormwater drainage system designed to tackle chronic flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Prepared by Ecometrix Consultants Pvt. Ltd., the project envisions a complete revamp of the city’s drainage infrastructure across all 41 wards, including the redevelopment of natural water channels such as Malti Jore, Harad Jore, Dhobi Jore, Tangara Nullah, and the Power Channel. A DGPS survey covering 353 sq km has been completed to identify bottlenecks, missing links, and flood-prone zones.
As of the latest reports, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation has not yet commented on the letter and its proposals.
