The Orissa High Court has taken note of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation's (CMC) purported resource constraints in maintaining cleanliness at the Satyabrata Stadium, located within the protected Barabati Fort area. The court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to adopt a proactive approach towards the upkeep of the sports arena.
Court Observations and Directions
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning civic amenities and sanitation issues in the stadium, a two-judge bench comprising Justices K.R. Mohapatra and V. Narasingh observed on May 14 that since the Satyabrata Stadium functions under the administrative control of the ASI, the court expects the ASI to take a proactive role in ensuring cleanliness throughout the year.
During the proceedings, Additional Government Advocate Debasis Nayak highlighted the difficulties faced by the CMC in deploying sanitation workers regularly at independent premises like the Satyabrata Stadium, which fall outside the corporation's designated conservancy zones.
CMC's Submission
Appearing virtually, CMC Deputy Commissioner (Sanitation) Jubuli Behera informed the court that the sanitation wing operates based on pre-assessed manpower allocation for routine conservancy operations across the city. He submitted that assigning workers to the stadium forces the corporation to divert manpower from existing conservancy points, adversely affecting regular cleaning activities elsewhere in Cuttack.
Joint Meeting Ordered
Taking note of the submissions, the bench directed that a joint meeting be convened between the CMC and ASI to discuss a long-term mechanism for maintaining cleanliness on the stadium premises throughout the year. The minutes of the meeting are to be submitted before the court by June 22, 2026. Pending a permanent arrangement, the judges ordered the CMC to continue cleaning operations at the stadium at least twice every week.
Background of the Stadium
As part of its intensified drive to reclaim the fort premises in 2005, the ASI took over portions of the Satyabrata Stadium, which had been developed under the Sports and Youth Affairs Department after the formation of the Orissa Council of Sports in 1957. While the ASI initially proposed demolition of parts of the sports complex to create gardens and avenues within the heritage zone, it later allowed sporting activities to continue in 2007 following opposition from sportspersons and allied organizations.
Toilet Construction and Water Supply
The High Court also took on record an affidavit filed by CMC City Engineer Atanu Kumar Samanta regarding the construction of three public toilet blocks for male, female, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) users near the basketball court. According to the affidavit, the toilets are being constructed by the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) and are expected to be completed within 15 to 20 days.
Furthermore, the High Court directed authorities to make temporary drinking water arrangements at the stadium in view of the prevailing heat conditions. Watco General Manager B.B. Behera informed the court that a tender has already been floated for permanent drinking water supply facilities on the premises.
