BHUBANESWAR: On Wednesday, enforcement teams from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), and the works department dismantled 201 more illegal structures in Salia Sahi, the largest slum in the city, during the second day of a special demolition and eviction campaign aimed at facilitating a new left parallel road.
BMC officials reported that a total of 283 homes have been demolished over the past two days.
BMC is planning to finish demolishing the remaining 510 identified houses within the next two days, along with relocating the affected families on Friday. “The eviction operation is set to conclude by Friday, with five teams involved. Evictees will not be left without shelter, as they are being relocated with their belongings promptly after their homes are demolished. Residents were informed on Tuesday evening which homes would be affected so they could prepare,” stated BMC additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.
While the demolition process is underway, BMC is encountering difficulties with the substantial amount of debris. Officials noted that it is not feasible to carry out demolition and debris removal simultaneously. “The rubble, consisting of bricks and concrete, is accumulating. Many residents have taken materials like asbestos sheets, doors, and windows. Once the demolition is complete, debris removal will commence. We’ve identified a nearby low-lying area for rubble disposal,” said N. Ganesh Babu, BMC’s deputy commissioner for sanitation.
The civic authority has set up temporary shelters for the displaced residents, who are being shifted incrementally to a relocation colony at Buddha Vihar.
Susanta Barada, aged 60 and a former resident of Salia Sahi, expressed awareness of the impending eviction. “I lived in the slum for 35 years and witnessed my son and daughter get married there. I’ve now moved to the new colony where I received a flat with two rooms and essential facilities. My son and his family also received a flat,” Barada shared with TOI.
On Wednesday, there was no resistance from residents, thanks to police presence. Alongside BMC, the BDA and police, other departments including Watco, energy, and fire services participated in this eviction operation, which aims to reclaim 800-900 meters of land intended for the planned 13-kilometer left parallel road stretching from Ekamra Kanan to Andharua.
