Bhubaneswar: Tension prevailed in the Niladri Vihar area on Tuesday as the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) launched a demolition drive against 330 transit houses, prompting protests by residents who demanded relocation before the structures were razed.
The demolition is being carried out in phases in Niladri Vihar Phases I, II and III. The area has around 890 transit houses, of which 330 have been identified for demolition as part of the ongoing drive.
According to reports, the transit houses were provided in connection with the Buddha Vihar housing project. Several beneficiaries have already been allotted permanent houses but have allegedly continued to occupy the transit units.
The BMC and BDA jointly continued the demolition operation on Tuesday. However, a section of residents opposed the move, claiming that they were eligible beneficiaries but had not yet received permanent houses.
The residents demanded that the authorities first provide them with alternative accommodation or complete the relocation process before carrying out the demolition.
Amid apprehensions of a confrontation between residents and officials, police were deployed in large numbers in the area. Three platoons of police personnel were pressed into service, with personnel from Nandankanan, Chandrasekharpur, Chandaka and Infocity police stations deployed to maintain law and order.
The demolition work continued amid protests by women residents, local youths and family members. The protesters raised objections to the eviction drive and sought clarity from the authorities regarding rehabilitation and relocation arrangements.
Officials and police personnel remained present at the site as the BMC and BDA continued the demolition exercise.
The situation remained tense but under control as the demolition operation progressed.
