IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.2657 of 2026 Jyotirmaya Pal …. Petitioner Ms. Sarada Dash, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and others …. Opposite Parties Ms. Biswabara Dash, Addl. Standing Counsel CORAM: THE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MURAHARI SRI RAMAN Order No. ORDER 17.02.2026 01. 1. The petitioner, successful bidder, allotted Kankeda Sand Quarry of Subarnapur District for the period years from 2024-25 to 2029-30. 1.1. Upon instruction(s) vide letter dated 09.07.2024 by the authority concerned, the petitioner deposited requisite amount and approached the competent authorities for issue of environmental clearance. After obtaining necessary certificate(s) from the State Impact Assessment Authority, Odisha, a lease deed was executed on 16.10.2025 between the Mining Officer and the petitioner. 2. It is submitted by Ms. Sarada Dash, learned Advocate appearing for the petitioner that despite such lease agreement being executed, the petitioner was restrained from operating the sand quarry as construction work of a bridge is going on. It is, therefore, submitted that a representation is made to the Mining Officer, Subarnapur for allotment of alternate sand quarry, which being kept pending this writ petition is filed for issue of necessary direction to the authority concerned to consider and dispose of the representation filed by him within a stipulated time. 3. Ms. Biswabara Dash, learned Addl. Standing Counsel conceded to the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the petitioner and urged that if the representation of the petitioner is pending till date, the authority concerned upon direction being issued can dispose of the same. 4. Heard Ms. Sarada Dash, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Ms. Biswabara Dash, learned Addl. Standing Counsel appearing for the opposite parties-State. 5. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties and after going through the records, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of case, disposes of the writ petition with direction to the opposite party No.4-Mining Officer, Sonepur to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 02.12.2025 vide Annexure-9 and dispose of the same, within a period of three weeks from the date of production of the copy of this order by affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. (Harish Tandon) Chief Justice (M.S. Raman) Judge Bichi Designation: Secretary