An aerial view of Sambalpur

Sambalpur, Oct. 31: The development authority today made a presentation of the comprehensive development plan for greater Sambalpur, which has been prepared by a Gujarat-based consultancy, Gujarat Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation.

All stakeholders took part in the meeting, which was organised at the conference hall of the district collector’s office.

The Sambalpur Development Authority had issued a notice and invited suggestions from stakeholders on July 28. The last date for receiving suggestions and objections on the comprehensive development plan, which covers an area of 488.75sqkm including Sambalpur municipality, Hirakud Notified Area Council, Burla Notified Area Council and 67 nearby villages, was October 28. The state government has already announced that greater Sambalpur will have a municipal corporation.

The development authority has received 300 objections and suggestions from local residents.

However, as state government offices remained closed for more than 40 days in the district in August and September because of the agitation over the establishment of the high court bench, the development authority has extended the last date of receiving suggestions to November 27.

However, Sambalpur district collector Balwant Singh, who is also the vice-chairperson of the Sambalpur Development Authority, said several things had not been explained clearly in the comprehensive development plan.