HC allows demolition of roadside shops for Cuttack rail project | Bhubaneswar News
Cuttack: Orissa high court on Monday endorsed the demolition of roadside shops for the redevelopment of Cuttack railway station but urged railway authorities to accommodate the evicted traders in some vacant land so that they can continue with their livelihood.
To make the road passing through Station Bazaar, near the second gate of the railway station congestion-free, 62 shops and commercial establishments have so far been pulled down in the first fortnight of Jan after serving them notices between Oct and Dec 2024. Some of the shopkeepers filed separate petitions in the high court on Jan 28.
On Monday, the court took up a batch of petitions. They stated that the shopkeepers had been running the shops for the past four decades on the basis of an agreement executed between the petitioners and railway authorities. The five-year agreements were renewed from time to time. But they were issued eviction/demolition notices when the agreement was in existence.
Railway authorities on the other hand stated that there is need for more land for expansion of railway projects and creation of other amenities as per its new land lease policy.
Taking note of it, Justice S K Panigrahi disposed of the petitions saying, “Considering the factual scenario of the case and submissions made, this court is of the view that demolition of the shop rooms is imminent as the railways shall require more land in future for expansion purpose.”
However, he urged the railways to try and accommodate the shopkeepers, “if there is availability of any vacant land in and around Cuttack railway station.”
If that is not possible, then the railways “shall find out some vacant land where they can be accommodated so that their livelihood shall not be in jeopardy,” Justice Panigrahi added.
To make the road passing through Station Bazaar, near the second gate of the railway station congestion-free, 62 shops and commercial establishments have so far been pulled down in the first fortnight of Jan after serving them notices between Oct and Dec 2024. Some of the shopkeepers filed separate petitions in the high court on Jan 28.
On Monday, the court took up a batch of petitions. They stated that the shopkeepers had been running the shops for the past four decades on the basis of an agreement executed between the petitioners and railway authorities. The five-year agreements were renewed from time to time. But they were issued eviction/demolition notices when the agreement was in existence.
Railway authorities on the other hand stated that there is need for more land for expansion of railway projects and creation of other amenities as per its new land lease policy.
Taking note of it, Justice S K Panigrahi disposed of the petitions saying, “Considering the factual scenario of the case and submissions made, this court is of the view that demolition of the shop rooms is imminent as the railways shall require more land in future for expansion purpose.”
However, he urged the railways to try and accommodate the shopkeepers, “if there is availability of any vacant land in and around Cuttack railway station.”
If that is not possible, then the railways “shall find out some vacant land where they can be accommodated so that their livelihood shall not be in jeopardy,” Justice Panigrahi added.
