The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) on Friday demolished the two-storied commercial building, Somu’s Cave, which was an illegally-run bar and restaurant, at the Jayadev Vihar Square in the city.
According to reports, Somu’s Cave owner Nakula Sahu had applied to the BDA for 3,700 sqft of land for residential purposes in 1998, but he was allotted 1,100 sqft by the authority. Sahu then used the residential area for commercial purpose by encroaching on the adjacent public land to expand his restaurant-cum-bar.
When the BDA knew about the illegal use of the allotted land and the encroachment carried out by Sahu, the authority lodged a case against the owner in 2000. After a few months of the complaint, the demolition order came which was later protested by Sahu before the Urban Development Secretary. But the Secretary quashed Sahu’s appeal and ordered the BDA to demolish the illegal structure and also to possess the encroached land.
BDA Enforcement Officer Deba Prasad Dash said they started demolishing the bar after getting notice from the appropriate authorities. Two dozers, drilling machines and BMC trucks were used for the demolition work and to clear the debris. The process was completed by night.
Two platoons of police force were deployed at the spot to prevent any untoward incident. Notably, at least 32 commercial buildings in the city have no permission or clearances from the BDA. The authority has engaged its 25 squads in the demolition of illegally-built structures in the city.