Bhubaneswar: A large-scale anti-encroachment drive is underway in Shampur Mouza under Bharatpur police limits, with the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) continuing the operation for the second consecutive day on Saturday.
Termed one of the biggest eviction drives by the agency, the operation began early in the morning at around 7 am. The drive aims to clear nearly 68 acres of encroached land. However, the action has sparked controversy, with several affected residents alleging that the land had been sold to them and that no prior notice was served before the demolition.
On Friday, the BDA launched a major demolition exercise under the direction of Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana, with Joint Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Jena leading the on-ground operation. On the first day alone, as many as 187 houses, including 31 under-construction structures, were demolished, clearing nearly 8 acres of government land.
A 150-member BDA team has been deployed for the eviction process, supported by heavy machinery, including multiple JCBs. To maintain law and order, 10 platoons of police force along with over 50 police officers, have been stationed at the site, ensuring the operation proceeds without any major untoward incidents.
Officials stated that multiple notices had been issued earlier and announcements were made through loudspeakers, urging encroachers to vacate voluntarily. Authorities maintained that the eviction drive was carried out following due process.
During the operation, 72 LPG cylinders, including 21 small ones, were recovered from an encroached house and later handed over to the Civil Supplies Department.
In December 2023, the BDA filed an FIR with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) over the alleged illegal encroachment and sale of portions of the 68-acre land by land mafias.
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