Rourkela, Nov. 15: Local residents are excited about the fact that the municipality has been elevated to a corporation.

Many people told The Telegraph that they appreciated the step and hoped it would bring about the city’s development.

Pramod Pradhan, a resident of the newly created Jhartarang gram panchayat, said: “The requirement of the people of this region has finally been fulfilled.”

Pradip Mohapatra of Nabakrushna Nagar, which has also been included in the corporation, said: “I am confident that the neglected areas around Rourkela will see development now.”

Jitendra Dash, a resident of Jagda, which has also been included into the civic body, said: “I am sure we will witness more development from now on.”

On November 15, 2013, the state government had declared that the Rourkela Municipality would become a corporation shortly and invited opinions on it from various quarters.

Despite contradictions such as court cases, the state government stuck to its decision and promoted the city to the status of a corporation. This time, the city has got three new additions — Jagda, Jhartarang and Nabakrushna Nagar.

Among these three, while first two are former gram panchayats, the last was neither a part of any gram panchayat nor a civic body.

“Our status was like that of a no man’s land on the border due to which we remained neglected for long,” said Benedict Kerketta of Sanabalijodi.

Jhartarang gram panchayat consists of Jhartarang, Brahmani Tarang, Sana Brahmani Tarang and Gopapali. Nabakrushna Nagar gram panchayat comprises Nabakrushna Nagar, Balijodi, IDL, Gopabandhu Nagar, Bhanja Colony, Bada Sona Parbat and Dharmadihi.

The residents of Jhirpani gram panchayat, which is adjacent to Jagda, demonstrated in front of Union minister of tribal affairs and Sundargarh MP Jual Oram. The residents want to be included in the corporation limits.

Those who live in areas covered by the corporation are celebrating. Chitta Das, a businessman of Basanti Colony said: “Why should Rourkela remain deprived of all the facilities. I am happy we have got the status now.”

However, amidst the euphoria there is an underlying anxiety about the issue of holding tax, which may be enhanced.

Pradhan of Jhartarang said: “The tax cannot increase suo-moto as there is a process for it. So, let us not get carried away by this rumour that one will have to pay enhanced tax. Besides, let us look at the larger picture.”

Debi, who stays at Jagda, said: “This is an unnecessary argument. We cannot turn blindly away from the development that the city will witness just because of taxes.”