In a concerted effort to reclaim public land, squads from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), and the General Administration (GA) department conducted a joint demolition drive in Kalarahanga on Tuesday. The operation targeted illegal structures built on government land, resulting in the demolition of nearly 17 such edifices, predominantly residential houses and a few commercial establishments, including a scrap dealer's shop.
Details of the Demolition Drive
The eviction was carried out on government land under Kalarahanga mouza as part of the scheduled Central Enforcement Monitoring Committee (CEMC) eviction programme. Multiple enforcement teams, backed by police personnel, moved into the area to remove structures allegedly erected on public property.
During the operation, authorities demolished three under-construction houses, six asbestos sheet houses, a chicken shop, a cabin, a scrap godown, four toilets, and a water tank. Additionally, around 150 feet of iron fencing that had been raised over the encroached land was pulled down.
Minimal Resistance and Prior Warnings
Officials noted that there was little resistance from local residents during the demolition. This was attributed to prior warnings issued to the encroachers, who were informed that their structures would be demolished if not removed voluntarily. Since the land belonged to the government, occupants had been given ample notice.
An official from the BDA stated, "After the operation, around 0.300 acre of government land was freed from encroachment. The eviction drive will continue on Wednesday as part of the ongoing effort to reclaim public land in the city."
Supervision and Participation
The operation was conducted under the supervision of BDA Joint Commissioner (Enforcement) Ranjan Kumar, with field supervision by Deputy Director of the General Administration Department, Amiya Kumar Das. Officials from several enforcement wings were present during the drive.
BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana emphasized, "Anti-encroachment drives will continue in different parts of Bhubaneswar to protect government land from illegal occupation." He urged encroachers to vacate such land voluntarily to facilitate development works.
Authorities reported that seven squads of the BDA took part in the operation, along with the Junior Enforcement Officer, Revenue Inspector of the GA department, personnel from Infocity police station, and additional police forces deployed to maintain law and order.
