Cuttack, Aug. 17: Tension prevailed during an eviction drive to clear roadside encroachments by the civic body near Shelter Chhak here today.
The Cuttack Municipal Corporation razed down the encroachments from Biju Patnaik Chhak to Sati Choura to widen the thoroughfare. The crackdown on encroachers is expected to streamline vehicular traffic on the congested city roads.
The squatters, however, alleged that the eviction squad had also demolished a few temporary constructions on private land. But, the civic body officials said that over 40 roadside shops, hoardings and other temporary constructions that had come up illegally on government land and the drains were pulled down. Police were deployed to maintain law and order during the drive.
"Last week, the civic body had served notices to shift the temporary kiosks. But, the way the squad pulled a few constructions on private land was not justified. We will move court against such arbitrary demolitions," said local resident Kartik Das.
Official sources said there were plans to widen the 2km road from Biju Patnaik Chhak to Sati Choura via Kanika Square and Shelter Chhak into a four-lane thoroughfare. The road from Biju Patnaik Chhak to the Barabati Stadium and Biju Patnaik Chhak to Deer Park at Madhusudan Nagar will also be widened in accordance with the proposed plans.
The road from Biju Patnaik Chhak to Sati Choura via Kanika Square connects CDA, high court, Deula Sahi, Dagarpara, cantonment and Chandi Mandir Square. There is an acute congestion on this road during peak hours because of the illegal encroachments and mindless parking.
"Tenders have been invited for the three road-widening projects for Rs 8 crore," said sub-divisional officer of the roads and buildings division Narendra Ghadei.
Ghadei said officials of the electricity and the public health department had been asked to take necessary measures to shift electric poles and drinking water supply lines. "Once the process of shifting of electric poles and other public utilities are over within the next two to three months, the road-widening work will be taken up," Ghadei said.
