In the wake of large-scale encroachment of Government land in Bhubaneswar, coordinated strategic steps have been initiated as per the directive of Chief Secretary GC Pati to ensure that the capital city is free from the clutch land grabbers.
Pati has asked the district Collector of Khordha to identify at least 10,000 acres of land for establishment of an industrial estate. Besides, the Collector has also been asked to identify land for a second airport for the city. The land identified for both industrial estate and airport should be handed over to the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), Pati has directed.
Notably, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had rejected the proposal of the Government for an international airport near Khordha on ground of feasibility. The pre-feasibility study conducted by an AAI team termed the proposed site of airport on over 2,000 acres of land around 40 km south of the capital on NH-5 near Jankia and Malipada villages not feasible. As such, the Government has already started searching for alternative land.
However, the Chief Secretary emphasised removal of land encroachment from the capital city at a recent high-level meeting. As a result, a Central Enforcement Monitoring Committee (CEMC) has been constituted by converging stakeholders from multiple agencies like the BDA, the BMC, the Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB), the General Administration Department (GAD) and the police. The BDA Vice-Chairman is the Chairman of the panel.
The CEMC would meet once a week to formulate, execute and review action plans for eviction of encroachments along the roads and on the drains and undertake demolition of the unauthorised constructions. The GAD and the BDA have been asked to ensure action lines.
The Khordha Collector would ensure that maps of the BMC area are digitised and updated to augment the execution. Besides, he would see that the lands are restored in the Government khata. The cadastral map would be linked with Bhulekh for the purpose.
The CEMC would draw a weekly schedule of eviction ensuring carrying videography and public address system, videography and photography of the whole process, dialogue with public with recording, prosecuting persons resisting the authority by filing FIRs and attaching audio-video evidence with the FIRs, uploading all information including photographs on the website, etc.
This apart, for management of litigation which may arise out of cases filed, the BDA has been asked to engage a law firm and appoint special counsels for fighting cases. The Idco would provide budgetary support. The progress of eviction would be reviewed by the Special Secretary and the Chief Secretary every fortnight and every month, respectively, sources said.