Cuttack, June 25: The Cuttack district administration today demolished four religious structures that had come up illegally on government land along the NH-5 at Phulnakhara.

The work for six-laning of the NH-5 from Bhubaneswar to Chandikhol (67km) is being undertaken under the highway expansion project worth Rs 1,200 crores.

The eviction drive launched today was to facilitate the ongoing expansion work of the NH-5 from Bhubaneswar to Chandikhole via Cuttack being undertaken by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. The eviction was carried out amidst tight security with five platoons of police being deployed to maintain law and order. Though the administration was successful in demolishing three small roadside temples and a puja mandap at Telengapentha area, the eviction was stopped after the opposition from the residents at Bhanpur. The administration wanted to raze down the Barunei temple at Bhanapur, but the residents demanded adequate compensation before demolition.

Local residents said that the temple of the presiding deity was established at Bhanapur in 1975.

“The demolition of the temple has been stopped till Sunday and the officials have agreed to compensate for the temple relocation,” said Pitabas Mohapatra, former sarpanch Bhanapur.

Mohapatra said that the residents did not have any problems in the demolition of the temple, as it is in the interest of thousands of commuters. But as the administration had not discussed the issue with them, the locals were against the demolition today.

Official sources said that NHAI would provide monetary assistance for relocation of various temples so that the demolition work can be taken up at the earliest.

“NHAI has identified nearly 11 religious structures that would be demolished in a phase-wise manner from Phulnakhara up to Jagatpur. This would be taken up shortly after reviewing various aspects including availability of police force,” said sub-collector Sudarshan Parida. The demolition work is likely to start on Monday.

Parida said that the administration had decided to stall the demolition of the temple at Bhanpur till the car festival gets over. The matter has been discussed with the local residents.

District administration officials said that besides the religious structures, there are other roadside encroachments that would be cleared.

The authorities had removed 30 religious structures in Cuttack in 2013.

Last year on May 1, the high court had ordered for demolition of unauthorised religious structures that had been constructed on government land after 1987. NHAI officials said that more than 50 unauthorised structures, including religious places, roadside kiosks and other constructions had been identified for demolition between Phulnakhara and Jagatpur.

Major religious structures, including Gundicha temple, Bhakti Bedanta Ashram, Shayama Shayam Dham (all located on Kathajodi river bed at CDA area) and Sai temple at Ganesh Ghat were demolished last year.