The eviction drive in Saliasahi, Bhubaneswar’s largest slum, concluded on Thursday with the demolition of over 550 “unauthorised” dwelling units.
The eviction, which began on Tuesday, was carried by a joint enforcement team from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), in presence of police force, amid protests.
The eviction drive was conducted to clear space for the construction of a new road intended to decongest traffic on the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan stretch, an official said.
Around 400 dwelling units were demolished on the first two days, and the remaining houses were cleared on Thursday, the official said.
While the state government has arranged for the relocated families to move into a newly constructed apartment complex near the slum, the process was met with protests.
The Enforcement Wing of BDA and BMC, with support from the Commissionerate Police, continued the eviction drive at Saliasahi, demolishing several unauthorized structures built on government land.#EvictionDrive pic.twitter.com/xmHvThJa2G
— BDA BBSR (@BDA_BBSR) November 20, 2025
Some families rejected the flats and instead set up temporary structures nearby, demanding pieces of land instead of flats.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra claimed that “many people with good economic background” were living in the slum and instigating residents against shifting to the government accommodation.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana stated that all eligible slum dwellers would be allotted a flat from over the 450 units available.
“If required, more flats will be allotted. However, not a single ineligible family will be allotted any flat,” Rana asserted.
