Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high at Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar as residents protested against the eviction drive conducted jointly by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Tuesday.
As a result, police had to deploy a significant police force to manage the situation, which was getting out of hand.
According to officials carrying out the eviction, the drive is part of a larger plan to clear parts of Salia Sahi for the construction of a left parallel road stretching from Ekamra Kanan to Andharua.
The proposed road, spanning nearly 13 kilometres, is expected to ease traffic congestion in the area.
As per reports, a team comprising BMC, BDA, WATCO, the electricity department, and the police reached the slum to carry out the eviction drive. However, the operation has drawn strong opposition from several residents of Salia Sahi, who claim they have not received adequate rehabilitation support. The residents staged a sit-in protest on the road, which led to scuffles at the site.
The police detained around 30 people, and warnings have been issued against anyone attempting to obstruct the eviction process.
Meanwhile, police have taken measures to maintain law and order, deploying 15 platoons of police force including DCP-rank officers, IICs from five police stations, and ACP-rank officers to the area.
It is pertinent to mention that the BMC plans to vacate 517 houses as part of the eviction drive, which is expected to be completed by the scheduled deadline.
