BMC workers carry out demolition work. (Below) Encroachment of a natural drainage channel near Damana Square in Bhubaneswar (file pictures)

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 30: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) plans to constitute a dedicated demolition squad with adequate police personnel within three months to stop illegal constructions in low-lying areas and flood zones. The squad will also demolish structures that block water bodies and channels.

The BDA has already written to the Orissa Police and the suggestion is under consideration of the administration. The BDA has already built barracks for the police team near its staff quarters in Laxmi Sagar.

“We have all the expertise, but the absence of a police team to accompany the squad had made our efforts ineffective, as one needs police support to demolish large structures.

“In case there aren’t enough police personnel from the service cadre, we could take on retired personnel in the special team,” said BDA vice-chairman Deoranjan Kumar Singh.

Regarding the equipment needed to demolish multi-storey structures and their availability, Singh said it was readily available.

“Our engineers and technical staff are all equipped to supervise these activities and we can even take the help of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation,” he said.

The need to form a dedicated demolition squad was felt following floods in Mahanadi in September.

Many unauthorised multi-storey structures were affected by the floodwaters in Sundarpada.

After the floods, a meeting chaired by the chief minister decided that “exemplary action’’ was needed to bring the illegal construction activities under control. Apart from Sundarpada, more than 10 illegal institutions had built their campuses either on the riverbanks or flood zones. None of these structures had applied for approval from the BDA.

Talking to The Telegraph, the BDA vice-chairman said apart from these institutions there could be thousands of such illegal structures as individual dwelling units in low-lying areas or flood zones.

“All these constructions should be stopped immediately and the squad will play a vital role.

“The state government’s prompt action after the September flood to control illegal construction activities in no-building zones has started giving results,” he said.

Sources said after getting a report from the water resources department in the past when the BDA enforcement team reached some construction sites of the illegal structures on the outskirts of the city, the employees were threatened.

“Once the team goes to the site with proper equipment and a dedicated force, no one will dare to threaten them. So, within three months, BDA will be equipped with the additional power and there will be effective control,” said an official from the BDA enforcement section.

A few days ago, the water resources department initiated action through the revenue department to stop the illegal construction of a bridge and road over Gangua Nullah near Samantarapur.

Although sources said both the BDA authorities and local MLA had informed the water resources department months ago when the construction work had started, the delayed action provided enough time for the builder to carry out his work.

The construction site is near Sisupalgarh, a historical monument protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.

The ancient fort dates back to 300 BC and was most likely the seat of power of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. This was the capital of Chedi dynasty kings including the great Mahameghvahan Kharvel.