Bhubaneswar: In one of the largest anti-encroachment operations in the capital, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has reclaimed nearly 61.4 acres of government land in Shampur mouza under Bharatpur police limits, following a two-day intensive eviction drive.
The demolition drive concluded on Saturday with heightened action on the second day, during which 12 JCB machines were deployed to clear illegal structures. As many as 739 houses were demolished on the final day, taking the total number of demolished houses to 926. Additionally, around 300 under-construction structures were also razed during the operation.
Officials said that out of the total 68 acres identified for eviction, about seven acres could not be cleared due to ongoing legal proceedings. The reclaimed land is expected to be utilised for future infrastructure and development projects in line with the city’s master plan.
The eviction drive forms part of BDA’s continued efforts to remove illegal encroachments and ensure planned urban development in Bhubaneswar. Authorities maintained that the action was taken after following due legal procedures, including issuing multiple notices and making repeated public announcements urging occupants to vacate voluntarily.
Extensive security arrangements were put in place to ensure smooth execution of the operation. Around 10 platoons of police force along with 50 personnel were deployed at the site. Officials confirmed that the entire drive was carried out peacefully without any major law and order issues.
Senior officials, including Additional Commissioner Manoj Kumar Swain, Joint Commissioner (Enforcement) Ranjan Kumar Jena, Land Officer Srinivas Behera, Allotment Officer Sudhir Nayak, and other enforcement and administrative officers, were present during the drive.
The action follows an FIR lodged by the BDA with the Economic Offences Wing in December 2023, alleging illegal encroachment and sale of portions of the land by organised land mafias, prompting stringent enforcement measures.
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