Bhubaneswar: Order has been issued by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) for demolition of 191 illegal structures, including apartments, in the state capital, housing and urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said in the assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to a query raised by MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain, Mahapatra said BDA has initiated cases against 491 illegal apartments and other structures out of which 63 have been dropped while 237 are under trial.
Similarly, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated cases against 1,444 illegal structures out of which 451 have been finalised while 993 are under trial, the minister informed in his written reply.
Swain stated that action is being initiated against builders or proprietors of buildings and other structures that have been constructed defying building plan and other norms. “Action is being taken under Odisha Development Authority (ODA) Act of 1982,” the minister informed.
Earlier, the urban development minister, replying to a similar querry raised by Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, had stated that there are approximately 719 illegal apartments in Odisha out of which 689 are in Bhubaneswar alone.
The minister had stated that the apartments were in violation under Sections 90, 91 and 92 of the ODA Act, 1982. The sections deal with unauthorised construction.
Following the revelation, a debate had ensued on what action is being initiated against the builders. BMC mayor Sulochana Das had then said they would go for demolition of the structures if the govt provides them adequate manpower.
“A building could be tagged illegal if it defies an array of norms such as fire safety and more,” real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan said.
Pradhan said demolition is not the option unless the buildings or structures defy serious norms like environment and other such clearances. “The govt should ensure that the norms are followed. The illegalities will not arise then,” Pradhan said.

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