Authorities have recently launched a major eviction drive in Salia Sahi, Bhubaneswar’s largest slum, to clear land for the long-delayed Left Parallel Road (LPR) project intended to ease congestion on the Jayadev Vihar–Nandankanan corridor. A joint team from BMC, BDA and other departments, supported by police, demolished 65 houses and relocated around 80 families on the first day.
The BMC has identified roughly 550 structures for removal along a 1-km stretch to enable construction of the 13-km LPR. Officials expect the operation to continue for several more days. While the civic body has provisionally identified 274 families for rehabilitation, others are categorised as encroachers.
Some residents alleged inadequate notice and raised concerns over rehabilitation entitlements, including the demand for 600 sq ft units. Political groups, including CPI (M), criticised the drive and sought comprehensive rehabilitation for all affected households.
