The Odisha government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every family displaced by the ongoing eviction drive in Bhubaneswar’s Salia Sahi settlement will receive a permanent home. Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mohapatra stated this during a press briefing on Thursday, emphasizing that the administration is focused on long-term rehabilitation and secure housing for all eligible residents.
Mohapatra alleged that a section of individuals with “vested interests” is spreading misinformation to prevent residents from vacating. According to him, some financially well-off persons own multiple illegal structures within the slum and have been renting them out for profit. He added that these people are misleading genuine residents because they fear losing their income once the structures are demolished.
“These individuals want to obstruct development efforts because they are worried about losing their illegal earnings. They are creating confusion among the public to protect their own interests, not the rights of the poor,” the minister said. He further noted that action has already begun against such beneficiaries and will intensify in the coming days.
Government Promises Secure Housing for All Eligible Families
Reiterating the state government’s stance, the Housing and Urban Development Department confirmed that no eligible resident will be left without shelter. Mohapatra said the relocation plan has been carefully designed to provide permanent, legal housing rather than temporary arrangements. Officials are currently documenting households and verifying eligibility to ensure transparency and prevent misuse.
Court Order and Road Project Drive Eviction Efforts
The ongoing clearance is also linked to a recent High Court directive supporting the removal of encroachments and continuation of the rehabilitation process. Simultaneously, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) are clearing land for the construction of a parallel road connecting Ekamra Kanan and Andharua.
Officials confirmed that 517 structures have been identified for demolition in the current phase, with the eviction drive scheduled to continue until November 24.
