Encroachments Cleared for NH-5 Expansion.

Civic authorities cleared a stretch of two kms recently to make way for expansion of NH-5 and laying of sewerage pipe.

The General Administration (GA) Department and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) proposed the eviction drive to the City Enforcement Monitoring Committee (CEMC). More than 11 temporary garages, 15 cabins and 30 street vendors were evicted bordering NH - 5.

A religious structure outside Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) was also demolished by the enforcement officials comprising officials of Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Three platoons of police force were deployed during the drive and four excavators used.

However, the enforcement officials faced resistance near Utkal University when they tried to evict a slum which had come up near the campus. The drive had to be halted about 400 metres prior to Vani Vihar due to protest.

An Omfed booth, also an encroachment, could not be demolished due to a High Court order preventing such action.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS