Eviction drive at Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar for new parallel road

Bhubaneswar: In a move to ease traffic congestion, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) jointly carried out a drive against encroachment at Salia Sahi, the city’s largest slum, on Sunday. The move marks a crucial step in expediting the construction of a left parallel road or alternative road to decongest the busy Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan Road.The eviction drive, which began at 8 am and concluded at 5 pm, saw the demolition of 29 houses under the supervision of zonal commissioner (north) Manmohan Nayak, along with senior officials from BDA and BMC. The evictees were relocated to affordable housing units at Buddha Vihar, ensuring rehabilitation while paving the way for development. “The requisition was made by us and the drive was carried out accordingly,” BDA liaison officer Subhranshu Mohanty said.Once completed, the left parallel road is expected to transform commuting for thousands of residents. The Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan Road, a key artery connecting central Bhubaneswar to its northern suburbs and IT hubs, often witnesses severe traffic snarls during peak hours.The new road will serve as an alternative route, significantly reducing travel time and easing vehicular pressure. This is one of the three roads planned with the aim to decongest the Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan Road.Urban planners observed the project will not only improve traffic flow but also enhance connectivity to major institutes, residential zones and commercial areas. “Emergency services, public transport and daily commuters will benefit immensely from the reduced congestion and improved road infrastructure,” urban planner Piyush Rout said.The project was stalled for an extended period due to resistance from slum dwellers unwilling to vacate the encroached land. With the initiation of the eviction process and the provision of affordable housing, the path is now clear for construction to resume.“Security was ensured by one platoon of police forces and a section of women cops, with officers from Maitri Vihar police station present on-site. Of the 53 houses identified for removal, 29 were demolished on Sunday, with the remaining scheduled to be razed in later phases,” Mohanty added.