Public Hearing Marks Progress in Patia Railway Station-Gadakana Road Project

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development for urban infrastructure, a public hearing for the construction of the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) road connecting Patia Railway Station to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Park at Gadakana was conducted today at the Kanak Durga Temple in Patia.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is spearheading this road project, with the public hearing held under the chairmanship of Sub-Collector Bhubaneswar, Chinmaya Kumar Acharya. Key attendees included BDA Secretary Kabindra Kumar Sahoo, Land Acquisition Officer of BDA Pratik Pattnaik, Land Acquisition Officer of Khordha Krishna Kumar Jena, and local corporators of ward number 3 and 9.

Mandated by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act of 2013, the public hearing aimed to address objections related to the draft Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report of the project. A considerable turnout of local residents voiced their support for the initiative.

The proposed road, with a width of 150 feet, will link Patia Railway Station to the Right Parallel road, playing a crucial role in alleviating congestion along the Nandankanan-Patia route. The acquisition of 18.453 acres of private land across three mouzas—Patia, Gadakana, and Chandrasekharpur—is scheduled to be completed within the next 9-10 months.

Officials emphasized that the 2.65-kilometer-long road will not only enhance local mobility but also stimulate economic growth in the Patia region. Compensation for affected individuals will be provided in accordance with the RFCTLARR Act of 2013.

This marks a historic moment as it is the first instance of compulsory land acquisition by the BDA for a road project since its establishment in 1983. Demonstrating a commitment to fostering sustainable urban development, the BDA aims to facilitate planned growth and effective regulation through innovative, people-centric strategies. The successful public hearing is a crucial step forward in the realization of this transformative road project.