Over 150 unauthorized structures demolished in Berhampur city

With growth of population, the Silk City expanded beyond limits. The roads remained narrow and rampant encroachments in residential area ate into the cultivable lands by converting them into homestead lands and no attention was paid to old structures, those that encroached on a good portion of the government lands. With an aim to beautify the city by clearing encroachments, the district administration took up a demolition drive on May 16. More than 150 structures were demolished in the major anti-eviction drive in Berhampur city to clear up stretch of National Highway 217 that passes through it.

The demolition of unauthorized encroachments on both sides of the NH-217 from Gate Bazar area started from early morning. It continued till evening. Five platoons of police force were deployed to check any untoward incidents during this anti-encroachment drive. Berhampur sub-collector, Ajit Mishra, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sarat Mohapatra, city tehsildar Satrughna Kar monitored it. No untoward incidents were reported during the process although there were verbal protests from some traders whose business establishments fell prey to the bulldozers.

According to the sub-collector no partisan attitude was shown during this anti-encroachment demolition drive. Ten permanent shops erected and rented out by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) were not spared. A dilapidated building of the BMC near Gate Bazar square, which served as library decades back was demolished. The large gate of the Kuthari temple which had been constructed on encroached land was pulled down.

Most city dwellers welcomed this anti-encroachment drive as Gate Bazar area had become a major constraint for traffic on the high way. Efforts are also on to streamline traffic at Gate Bazar square. A bypass road from new bus stand road to Lochapada road is being constructed. The administrative officials said survey work was on to assess the encroachment on the constricted portion of the Lochapada road that connects to NH-217 at Gate Bazar square.

Source: The Hindu & The New Indian Express