File picture of a demolition drive in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, June 1: The much-awaited demolition squad of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has taken shape with 10 police personnel joining the enforcement wing.

In the absence of a dedicated squad, the enforcement wing of BDA remained virtually defunct. Though it has so far listed more than 18,800 cases under the Odisha Development Authority Act (ODA) Act, action was taken only in around 250 cases till date.

BDA vice-chairman Deoranjan Kumar Singh said: “Ten police personnel under the commissionerate police will be deployed by us on a requirement basis. The additional force will facilitate the demolition work and there will be more action, especially in cases of removing illegal structures from the natural drainage channels.”

Earlier, the state government had admitted in the Assembly that 117 constructions were blocking the flow of drainage channels across the city and needed to be demolished immediately. On October 28, the development authorities announced that after getting a police team, the demolition squad would be constituted and a place had been earmarked near BDA’s central store at Jharpada for the personnel.

However, sources in the BDA’s enforcement wing clarified that the police force would not stay in the place designated by the BDA in Jharpada because they would be under the Reserve Battalion’s command. They will be pressed into service only when required.

The police administration wants to de-commission the personnel from their current posts so that they can be absorbed by BDA under its cadre. The rules and regulations are being formed by the establishment section of the development authority.

Interestingly, as the help of additional commissioner of police (ACP) is needed for any magisterial action concerning a law and order situation, the BDA squad will need the help of an ACP and the local inspector in-charge during a demolition or enforcement act, said a senior BDA official.

Sources said 127 cases were filed against unauthorised constructions across the 10 natural drainage channels and the main channel, Gangua nullah, which carries the storm water of nine out of the 10 channels. With 10 cases still pending, the housing and urban development department is mulling action against 117 structures.

Apart from unauthorised constructions across the drainage channels, the demolition squad will also act against unauthorised constructions in low lying, no-construction zones. It will also take up cases under plan and land use violations of the ODA Act.