The much-publicised demolition drive by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) in the city came to an abrupt halt on Monday following a stay order from the Odisha High Court, sources in the BDA said.
Sudhanshu Samantray, owner of the four-storied commercial building at Janpath which houses the Ambar garment showroom, had challenged the BDA move to demolish the top two floors of the building in the High Court. The court ordered a stay on the demolition work until it disposes of the case, sources said.
The BDA had ordered demolition of the upper two floors of the building on the ground that these were built without securing mandatory approval and clearances.
The demolition work which began on Saturday and continued on Sunday had to be called off following the court order, an official of the BDA demolition squad said.