Sambalpur, March 30: Sanitation of the city has emerged as a major issue for the poll this time.

Candidates of all the major political parties are seen highlighting the poor sanitation situation of the city and assuring people of a solution to the problems.

Residents of the city are peeved with the current sanitation scenario. The issue has been raised several times in the past but to no avail.

And now, leaders of political parties, who are in the fray, have taken up sanitation as a poll plank. “The need of the hour is the make the city clean,” BJD candidate Raseswari Panigrahi said.

Congress candidate Sures-war Mishra criticised the BJP for its failure in materialising the much-awaited JICA project in Sambalpur. The JICA project envisages an integrated sewerage for the city.

Three-time sitting BJP MLA Jayanarayana Mishra, who is seeking re-election from this seat, said approval of the JICA project during his tenure was one of his main achievements. “The JICA project was approved during my tenure. I am committed for a developed and beautiful Sambalpur,” said Mishra.

In 2009-10, the city was ranked 269th among the cities of the country in respect of sanitation.