BHUBANESWAR: Joint squads of BDA, BMC and Smart City with the help of the commissionerate police demolished slums near the boundary wall of
Kalinga Stadium adjacent to gate number 1 in the wake of the coming Men’s
Hockey World Cup.
The eviction drive was conducted along the Behera Sahi road. As many as 31 structures from Gauda Basti in Nayapalli area were demolished, which were occupying the side areas of the stadium creating a cluttered look. The demolished structures were 21 asbestos or
tin covered houses, five tin covered shops, three thatched houses and two thatched cowsheds.
The stadium, which has successfully hosted the Asian Athletics Championship last year, is organising the Hockey World Cup this year. After clearing the encroachment, the road leading to the stadium will not be congested anymore. BDA and BMC may beautify the place before the world event begins, said a senior BMC officer.
Member enforcement, BDA, Bhabani Shankar Chayani said the eviction drive will continue around the stadium to make a better ambiance for the international sports event. “We will conduct the demolition drive near the stadium gate 9 on Friday,” he added.
Four excavators (three from BMC and one from BDA) along with a cow catcher van from BMC were engaged in the eviction drive. “Lifting of the debris will be done by the construction and demolition waste (C&D) team at the site,” said a BMC officer.
Ten platoon of police force were present at the site to maintain law and order during the demolition drive. City DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo was also present during the drive. The slum dwellers alleged that they were not given prior notice before the eviction drive begins. However, the BDA, in its statement, said they had informed the locals about the drive on Wednesday.
Four excavators (three from BMC and one from BDA) along with a cow catcher van from BMC were engaged in the eviction drive
