Sambalpur: NHAI to Construct 6-Lane Road; Eviction Drive Begins, 20 Shops and Houses Demolished in Anugulia Pada
Sambalpur: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to expand a 6-lane road from Anugulia Pada to Remed Chowk. To facilitate this, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has started an anti-encroachment drive. On the first day, the SMC demolished 20 shops and houses in the area. SMC officials, led by Enforcement Officer Sushant Sahu, worked alongside police and administrative teams during the operation.
Encroachers Rented Out Government Land
Encroachers had occupied Sambalpur’s national highway and rented out the spaces for profit. Not just one or two, but many shops were being operated illegally. Even outsiders lived in these spaces, making it difficult for the authorities to identify the real encroachers. This issue became evident during the drive at Anugulia Pada.
Prior Notices Were Ignored
The SMC revealed that notices were issued to the shop owners in July to vacate the encroached land for road expansion. However, the shopkeepers ignored the warnings, delaying the project. Eventually, the NHAI informed SMC about the urgency of the situation, leading to the demolition drive.
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Anti-Encroachment Drive Begins
On Wednesday at 10 a.m., the SMC team arrived at the site to begin the demolition. Shops, garages, tea stalls, and houses were torn down one by one. To maintain law and order, officials like Deputy Collector Abhishek Kisan, Additional SP Haresh Pandey, Sadar Tahsildar Manoj Kujur, and other police officers were present. Police forces were also deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.
Protests and Mild Tensions
Some shopkeepers initially protested against the demolition, creating minor tensions. However, with the intervention of officials, the situation remained under control. The demolition will continue tomorrow, focusing on clearing encroachments up to Remed Chowk.
Smooth Execution Amid Security
Magistrate-level officers supervised the smooth operation, ensuring no major disruptions occurred. Workers systematically dismantled shops, garages, and other structures to clear the way for the road expansion.
