Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Thursday reclaimed nearly two acres of government land in Shampur as part of its ongoing drive against illegal encroachments, demolishing several unauthorised structures during a major eviction operation carried out with police support.
The eviction drive was conducted in the Shampur area under the jurisdiction of Bharatpur Police Station under the direction of BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana and supervised by Joint Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Jena. According to the authority, the operation is part of its continuing effort to free government land for planned urban development and future public infrastructure projects.
During the first phase of the drive, enforcement teams demolished 38 ACC houses, four RCC houses under construction, 15 bathrooms, an under-construction iron shed and nearly 100 feet of boundary wall that had been illegally erected on government land. Heavy earthmoving equipment was used to clear the encroachments, while police personnel were deployed to ensure the operation remained peaceful.
BDA officials said the eviction was carried out after completing all legal formalities. Notices had been served on the encroachers well in advance, and repeated public announcements were made through loudspeakers requesting them to vacate the land voluntarily. Occupants were also given adequate time to remove their belongings before demolition began, the officials added.
Speaking on the drive, BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana said the authority would continue taking action against illegal occupation of government land across the capital.
He urged people occupying public land without authorisation to vacate voluntarily and cooperate with the administration, stating that reclaiming government land is essential for planned urban expansion and the execution of future development projects in Bhubaneswar.
