Bhubaneswar Salia Sahi evictions: Odisha govt promises permanent homes for all displaced

The Odisha government has asserted that every resident evicted from Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar will receive a permanent house, and those refusing to vacate are being misled by individuals allegedly benefitting from multiple illegal properties inside the slum.

The information was shared by Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mohapatra during a press meet on Thursday. He said the state is committed to rehabilitation and accused a ‘financially motivated group’ of provoking people to oppose eviction for personal gains.

Minister Alleges Misinformation

Minister Mohapatra said that misinformation and rumours were being spread by people with “vested interests” who fear losing income from houses they have rented out within the slum. 

“Some financially sound people have rented out multiple houses and are misleading the public because they fear these structures will be demolished. They want people to block the drive of progress because they fear losing their incomes,” he said.

According to him, these individuals are instigating confusion among genuine residents to block the eviction drive. He pointed out that their objective is to protect illegal assets, not the rights of the poor. The minister warned that action has already started against such beneficiaries and will intensify in the coming days.

Government Promises Housing For Every Eligible Family

The H&UD Minister reiterated that no eligible resident will lose shelter. He said the government will remove the slum and provide legal housing for everyone, assuring that the relocation process has been designed with long-term settlement in mind.

The state, he said, is ensuring a structured replacement plan focused on permanent homes rather than temporary fixes. Meanwhile, officials are moving ahead with the eviction and relocation process at a steady pace, verifying eligibility and recording households to prevent misuse.

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Court Order And Road Project Fuel Clearance Drive

Even as the minister emphasises relocation rights, the clearance operation is being executed alongside a parallel infrastructure project. A recent High Court order enabled the continuation of planned rehabilitation and supported the removal of encroachments in slum areas.

At Salia Sahi, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) are jointly clearing land for the parallel road from Ekamra Kanan to Andharua. Officials confirmed that 517 houses have been marked for demolition in the current phase, with the operation scheduled to continue until November 24.