Sambalpur pronunciation (helpinfo) (, ) (Also pronounced as Samalapur) is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa. It lies at a distance of 321km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters of Sambalpur district and the commercial capital of Kosal. After independence of India, many commercial and government establishments sprung up around Sambalpur making it the communication and administrative hub of Western Orissa. After the economic liberalisation of India in 1990 many industries opened up in and around this place, making this region as the industrial center of gravity of Orissa. Sambalpur is not only located on the Mumbai - Howrah rail route but it connects the rest of Orissa with western and northern India by rail. Sambalpur is a prime railway junction in Orissa with the headquarters of Sambalpur Railway Division located at this place. It is also a prime...
