Bhubaneswar: A major eviction drive is underway in Niladri Vihar, Bhubaneswar, with around 330 transit houses scheduled for demolition on Tuesday. The joint operation is being carried out by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) across Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the locality.
330 Houses to Be Demolished
According to reports, there are around 890 transit houses in Niladri Vihar, of which approximately 330 are being targeted in the ongoing demolition drive.
Officials said some beneficiaries continued to occupy the transit houses even after being allotted permanent homes under the Budha Vihar Housing Project. The eviction action has been initiated to clear the transit housing area and enforce the relocation process.
Residents Oppose Niladri Vihar Eviction
The Bhubaneswar eviction drive has triggered resentment among some residents. While authorities maintain that several occupants have already been provided alternative housing, some locals have alleged that they are eligible for houses under the housing project but have not yet received them.
Some residents have strongly opposed the demolition and said they would rather die than leave their homes.
The conflicting claims have created tension in the area, with authorities taking additional precautions to prevent any law-and-order situation during the demolition.
Heavy Police Deployment
As part of the Niladri Vihar demolition drive, three platoons of police personnel have been deployed at the site.
Police personnel from Nandankanan, Chandrasekharpur, Chandaka and Infocity police stations have also been assigned to assist the civic authorities and maintain law and order during the eviction operation.
The administration is closely monitoring the situation as the BMC and BDA continue with the demolition of the identified transit houses.
