Bhubaneswar: The civic body will intensify drives against encroachments to offer smoother services.

Civic officials have begun talks with police for forces during the drives. It will focus on roads and drains where illegal encroachment has mushroomed over time.

The matter was also discussed during the civic body's monthly meeting on Tuesday where councillors expressed concern over encroachment. "Many people have set up makeshift kiosks on drains, making it difficult to undertake cleaning or construction activities," said councillor Naren Sahoo.

He said complaints were on the rise about squeezing of roads and clogging of drains.

"We often face opposition from the encroachers during eviction drives. We had to step back many times and it is a cause of concern which need immediate redress," he said.

The three zonal divisional commissioners, local councillors, and other civic officials will survey the respective areas to identify encroachments. Following that, a requisition will be made to the respective commissioners and enforcement officials will proceed with police force for eviction drives.

"The zone officials have already been directed to conduct the survey. Each of them will supervise the drive at their respective zones. We have requested the police for deployment of forces to ensure smooth conduct of the drive," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, adding that the focus area would remain the smart district along Janpath.

Kharavela Nagar resident Jayanti Hota said encroachments were on a high across the city: "The roads in our locality have been reduced to half its length. The footpaths are also filled with these people. They need to be evicted, but officials should also ensure their rehabilitation."

Sources said the enforcement officials would co-ordinate with the development authority for better results. The housing and urban development department has already constituted two separate committees to intensify eviction drives in the city, while the civic body's wing will be an add-on.