Bhubaneswar Development Authority demolished a major commercial complex near Jayadev Vihar Square in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 17: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) today demolished a popular bar-cum-restaurant at Jayadev Vihar Square citing illegal construction on government land.

Officials of BDA said that the structure known as Somu’s Café was brought down as it fell under the “gross violation” category.

The owner of the building had got approval in 1998 for 1,149sqft area to construct a ground and first floor house for residential purpose. Enforcement officer of BDA, Debi Prasad Dash, said the owner had occupied 3,746sqft illegally.

“On the plot of land he had constructed a two-storey building and had extended a portion with asbestos roof. Instead of using the place for residential purposes, he had rented it out to commercial establishments,” said Dash.

While the restaurant was on the ground floor of the main structure, the extended portion was used as a bar. Interestingly, the owner of the restaurant-cum-bar Soumya Bhusan Mohanty, 40, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his house on March 30, 2012, after partying with a distant relative.

The officer said the structure had encroached on a drain and part of a road that had been creating problem for commuters and causing accidents.

The violation by owner Nakul Sahoo had came to the BDA’s notice in 2000 following which it gave a demolition order. But the owner appealed for regularisation of the portion, which had been constructed by violating the rules.

Later in 2012, the matter was referred to the appellate authority of housing and urban development department, which dismissed the case on December 19 last year. After all the preparation and logistic and police support, the officials today finally carried out the drive. The decision to demolish the structure was announced yesterday afternoon and vendors were asked to shift from the premises.

B.K. Sahoo, son of Nakul Sahoo, admitted that a portion of the structure was illegally constructed.

“As there was free space around the building we had constructed temporary structures. We had even applied to the authorities concerned to make it legal, but it was dismissed by BDA. But the authority should not break the portion for which we have approval,” said Sahoo.

Dash said that they had brought the original map of the plot and followed it while demolishing the structure. The officials said that they are not giving time to the owners of illegal structures, as the violators approach the court for stay order and stall the process.

“We have been giving enough time to the violators to take proper action as per rules, but they make the process lengthy by going to the courts and seeking stay orders for delaying the processes. After all the formalities and legal processes, we take our action,” said an officer.

This is fifth such structure demolished by the authorities in the last few months. In the next phase, there are around 30 such structures, including several temples, on BDA’s radar for demolition.