BHUBANESWAR: Sending the strongest message against encroachments in the Capital, the Enforcement Squad of civic authorities razed 29 structures belonging to highly placed retired bureaucrats and politicians in Forest Park area here on Tuesday.
The demolition drive was requisitioned by the Roads and Building Division, Bhubaneswar, for expansion of the existing stretch of road between Shishu Bhawan Square and Airport Square, from 25 ft to 40 ft. The drive was conducted jointly by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The drive began by the civic authorities razing the boundary wall of an office space let out by an industrialist. Most of the encroachments comprised ornate boundary walls and garden area.
The demolition drive was originally scheduled for July 1, but had to be postponed by a week after fresh demand for measuring the extent of encroachment was made. The major encroachment, an outhouse in the Hotel Forest Park, was razed to the ground by the enforcement team. Demolishing this structure was the most time consuming effort and two excavators had to be used simultaneously.
BMC assistant commissioner (Recovery) Sumita Behera said most of the encroachments being removed were given “permissive possession” by the State Government long back. No major resistance was witnessed during the entire drive which concluded at about 6:15 pm.
BDA will attempt to demolish the remaining encroachments on Friday using advanced machinery.