BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa High Court has ordered the residents of Shantipalli Basti in Bhubaneswar to vacate their homes and relocate to designated temporary accommodations. This move is aimed at facilitating the completion of the Shantipalli Awas Yojana, a significant in-situ slum redevelopment initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
Justice Sanjeeb K Panigrahi delivered this ruling in response to several petitions from beneficiaries of the project. He upheld the legal transfer of land to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and validated the State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee’s decision to set the beneficiary contribution at Rs 1.5 lakh per unit.
The court remarked, “The right to shelter under Article 21 encompasses a right to reasonable housing and rehabilitation, but does not permit ongoing illegal occupation. Allowing individual resistance to obstruct a transformative urban initiative would enable private interests to override public interests.”
The Shantipalli Awas Yojana, initiated under the ISSR component of PMAY-Urban, aims to replace informal settlements with 1,300 multi-storeyed flats in Satya Nagar. Phase-I, consisting of 840 units, is nearing completion with 462 homes already allotted. However, Phase-II has faced delays due to interim status quo orders and some residents’ reluctance to vacate.
The court acknowledged that the state has provided transit housing with essential amenities, along with bank-linked credit support for those unable to make upfront payments, and a rehabilitation plan that aligns with public interest.
The court’s key directions include ensuring that petitioners relocate to transit accommodation within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply will lead to the lifting of the status quo order. The monitoring committee is tasked with overseeing allotments and financial assistance, while the BMC and BDA will support credit provisions for EWS beneficiaries.
