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Authorities in Bhubaneswar initiated a large eviction exercise in Salia Sahi, the city's biggest slum cluster, to clear land for a new road aimed at easing traffic along the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan corridor. Over 550 unauthorised houses were marked for demolition, and more than 80 were removed on the first day. Many families raised concerns about limited notice, loss of shelter, and the need for proper rehabilitation. Officials stated that residents were being relocated with financial support, while opposition parties questioned the process and demanded stronger safeguards.
A coordinated enforcement drive was launched in Salia Sahi to clear encroached land for a new parallel road meant to reduce traffic pressure on the busy Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan stretch. The operation involved teams from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), and other departments, supported by police to maintain order. Advertisement
Officials had identified around 556 unauthorised houses that needed to be removed for the project. During the first day of the exercise, more than 80 structures were demolished with the help of excavators. Teams were also deployed to document each structure and assist families in shifting their belongings.
A number of affected residents opposed the move and said they did not receive enough time to move out. Many families requested alternative housing and asked for units with at least 600 sq ft of space. Some displaced households spent the night in makeshift arrangements near the cleared area, stating they had nowhere to go immediately after the demolition.
A deputy commissioner from BMC said the families were not being removed without support and were being shifted to designated relocation sites. As part of the assistance package, each eligible family is being given INR 150,000 along with help in transporting their belongings. Officials added that the clearance would continue until all identified encroachments were addressed.
Opposition leaders from the Indian National Congress and the CPI (M) criticised the manner in which the exercise was carried out. They argued that the process should uphold legal requirements and ensure proper rehabilitation before eviction. They urged the government to take a more sensitive approach while dealing with vulnerable communities.
Responding to these concerns, the state works minister said that a structured package was already in place, covering both housing and financial support. The minister noted that many residents had agreed to relocation and claimed that only a small group was resisting, which he attributed to political influence rather than genuine disagreement.
The land being cleared is required for a nearly 700-metre portion of a proposed 13-km left-parallel road connecting the Ekamra Kanan area with Andharua. This stretch is considered important for improving traffic flow in northern parts of the city and strengthening the internal road network.
Source PTI
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