An eviction drive began in the Rupatola slum area near Panposh here on Thursday for construction of the proposed second bridge over river Brahmani at Balughat here.
The local administration demolished illegal encroachments and houses in the slum during the drive that began at 9 am.
Official source said the Rupatola slum located on the banks of river Brahmani has been obstructing construction of the bridge.
Hence, 54 families of the Basti had been served notices to vacate their houses by November 30. The administration had also extended necessary Government assistance for them for displacement. However, the slum dwellers were not vacating the place since then.
On Thursday, the administration resorted to the eviction drive in the presence of Panposh Sub-Collector Biswajit Mohapatra and two Magistrates.
Besides, five platoons of police force were deployed at the site to maintain law and order during the eviction.
