In a fresh eviction drive, the Baleswar district administration on Wednesday demolished many houses, shops and other structures illegally constructed on Government lands along the road from Anand Bazaar to Nuniajodi in the town.
The demolition drive was carried out by the Baleswar Municipality in the presence of police personnel and the local magistrate.
Officials said the roadside was cleared for repairing and widening of the road to be done by the Works Department.
During the eviction drive, though encroachers resisted in some pockets yet they were pacified by police personnel.
“One platoon of police was deployed. The drive was peaceful,” said Sahadevkhunta police station IIC Paresh Rout.
Baleswar Works Division Executive Engineer said after removal of encroachments the road width between 45- 50 feet can be maintained.
This eviction drive was undertaken after a gap of about six months. Earlier, encroachment along the main roads had been cleared. Municipality Executive Officer Subas Jena said about 200 unauthorised structures would be removed from the roadside. Encroachments along the road connecting Town Hall to Chuunbhati would be cleared in the next phase, he said.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Manmath Pani said about Rs42 crore would be spent on the beautification of town after freeing encroached areas and locations have been identified for construction of vending zones to rehabilitate the evicted vendors.