In a major urban development initiative, Bhubaneswar witnessed a massive eviction and demolition drive on Monday targeting unauthorized structures in Salia Sahi, the city's largest slum settlement. The operation faced significant resistance from local residents, leading to substantial police deployment and multiple detentions.
Large-Scale Enforcement Operation
Five specialized teams comprising officials from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), and the works department executed the coordinated demolition drive. The operation required the deployment of five platoons of police forces to manage the situation as residents staged strong protests against the eviction.
By evening, authorities had successfully demolished 82 unauthorized houses using heavy excavators. The enforcement squads worked throughout the day to clear structures that had been identified as illegal constructions obstructing development projects.
Rehabilitation and Resistance
According to BMC deputy commissioner (enforcement) Ajay Mohanty, eligible evicted slum residents were relocated to the Buddha Vihar housing colony, where they received permanent housing allocations as per government norms. Municipal authorities assisted the displaced families in shifting their belongings to the new location.
Despite these arrangements, many residents opposed the demolition, staging sit-in protests and demanding an immediate halt to the operation. Police and enforcement squad members engaged in negotiations to pacify the agitators, resulting in the detention of more than 20 protesters to ensure the smooth progress of the drive.
Road Development Project
The demolition drive aims to reclaim approximately 800-900 meters of land earmarked for the proposed 13-kilometer left parallel road connecting Ekamra Kanan and Andharua. This infrastructure project has been in planning since 2010, when the initial survey was conducted, with a revised survey completed in 2017 to alter the road's alignment.
BMC additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo revealed that Monday's operation accounted for approximately 20% of the total identified unauthorized structures. Authorities plan to complete the demolition of all 500 targeted houses over the next two days, with 135 houses already vacated for Wednesday's continued operation.
BDA officials emphasized that both the left parallel road and the right parallel road along the Sainik School-Damana route will significantly improve traffic flow. The new infrastructure will enable residents and commuters to avoid congested main roads while providing better connectivity to key destinations including Nandankanan, Patia, and KIIT University. The comprehensive plan also includes four link roads between the parallel routes to create an efficient grid pattern for smoother traffic movement.
Multiple departments including Watco, energy, and fire services collaborated in the large-scale operation, highlighting the coordinated government effort to advance urban development while addressing rehabilitation needs of affected residents.
