Demolition of illegal buildings and apartments in Bhubaneswar: Will the affected get compensation?

A couple of days after the Housing and Urban Development Department Minister Krushna Mohapatra informed the Odisha Legislation Assembly that demolition orders have been issued in 191 cases under Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday clarified that the civic body is yet to receive any government order. 

Speaking to the media, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das said, “BMC is yet to receive any demolition order from the government. However, we will move forward after getting the official instructions.”

Will Odisha Govt Consider Compensation?

As the illegal buildings are likely to be demolished, speculations are rife whether the government will provide compensation to the affected people.

Speaking on the same, the Mayor said, “We are unclear whether the government will provide compensation to the people living in the illegal apartments or they will be shifted to some other places or what action would be taken against the illegal constructions.

She further said that everything will be clear once the BMC receives the SOP from the state government. "However, we will try not to put the common people in trouble, the mayor stated," she added.

It is worthwhile to mention here that 491 cases have been registered in connection with illegal apartments and other structures and constructions under the Bhubaneswar Development Authority. This was informed by Minister Mohapatra in the Odisha Assembly.

Out of this, demolition orders have been issued in 191 cases while 63 cases have been dropped and 237 cases are under trial.

Similarly, 1444 cases have been registered against illegal constructions and apartments under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation limits. Of the total number, 451 cases have been disposed of while 993 are under trial.