SAMBALPUR

town, northwestern Orissa state, eastern India. The town is a commercial centre and rail terminus along the Mahanadi River. It has some industry, including the milling of rice, weaving, and metalworking. There are several colleges, a sacred Vaishnavite temple, and a ruined fort. The Hirakud Dam (1957) lies on the Mahanandi River 8 miles (13 km) upstream from Sambalpur. Pop. (1981) town, 112,631; metropolitan area, 162,214; (1991) town, 131,138; metropolitan area, 193,297.