191 Unauthorised Buildings to Be Demolished in Bhubaneswar, Says Minister

Bhubaneswar: Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra announced on Tuesday that 191 illegally constructed apartments and buildings in Bhubaneswar will face demolition. This statement was made in response to a query by BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain during the Odisha Legislative Assembly session.

Mohapatra revealed that out of 491 cases registered against illegal constructions under the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), demolition orders have been issued for 191. Meanwhile, 63 cases have been closed and 237 are currently pending in court.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has filed 1,444 cases against unauthorised constructions. Of these, 451 have been resolved, leaving 993 still pending.

Previously, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das indicated that the BMC is prepared to demolish these unauthorised structures if the state government provides compensation. Many builders have abandoned their projects, resulting in limited control for the BMC over these developments.

Originally managed by panchayats, these constructions now fall under BMC jurisdiction. Encroachments on natural water bodies have exacerbated drainage issues in the affected areas.