Bhubaneswar Nandankanan-Jayadev Vihar parallel road project gains ground as eviction drive clears 562 structures

The joint BMC and BDA eviction drive at Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar continued for the fifth consecutive day with bulldozers razing 562 houses as of Friday, clearing approximately eight to twelve acres for a parallel road project connecting Jaydev Vihar and Nandankanan.

Sources reported that at the end of the fifth day of demolitions, the area saw completely partially demolished structures being fenced to prevent re-encroachment. BMC authorities stated that they had fenced the perimeter of the playground area and nearby stretches of land to secure government possession.

Displaced residents have been shifted to transit accommodation, while eligibility verification continues for permanent housing under state rehabilitation guidelines. Officials said that only those identified as genuine beneficiaries will be allotted legal housing after scrutiny.

The demolition targets encroachments that had obstructed the alignment of the upcoming alternative road, which is being constructed to ease traffic pressure on the main Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan corridor.

After the clearance, officials said the roadwork is expected to begin immediately, with the aim of completion within a month.

All Eligible Residents Will Receive Permanent Homes

The sweeping eviction comes amid a recent assurance from the Odisha government that every eligible family displaced from Salia Sahi will be provided a permanent house.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mohapatra said the state is committed to structured rehabilitation and rejected claims that people are being left without shelter.

He alleged that some individuals inside the slum, reportedly possessing multiple illegal houses, are attempting to disrupt the drive because they fear losing rental income. According to him, these groups have been influencing residents to resist eviction by circulating misinformation.

ALSO READ: Amid eviction drives, Orissa HC directs relocation of Bhubaneswar Saheed Nagar slum residents

Court Order and Infrastructure Plans

The ongoing clearance is part of a coordinated effort by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), following a recent High Court order linked to rehabilitation and encroachment removal in slum areas.

It is worth noting that the land being vacated forms a critical stretch for the alternative road further planned between Ekamra Kanan and Andharua. No further comments could be obtained from the BMC or BDA in this regard.