The Hindu 18.05.2010
Over 150 unauthorised structures demolished in Berhampur
Staff Reporter
| Five platoons of police deployed to prevent any untoward incident |
— Photo: Lingaraj Panda 
ACTING TOUGH:An encroachment is being removed in the Aska Road area to make way for NH-217 in Berhampur on Monday.
BERHAMPUR: More than 150 structures were demolished in a major anti-eviction drive in the city on Monday to clear up stretch of National Highway 217 that passes through it.
The demolition of unauthorised encroachments on both sides of the NH-217 from Gate Bazar area started from early morning. It continued till evening. Five platoons of police force were deployed to check any untoward incidents during this anti-encroachment drive. Berhampur sub-collector, Ajit Mishra, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sarat Mohapatra, city tehsildar Satrughna Kar monitored it. No untoward incidents were reported during the process although there were verbal protests from some traders whose business establishments fell prey to the bulldozers.
According to the sub-collector said no partisan attitude was shown during this anti-encroachment demolition drive. Ten permanent shops erected and rented out by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) were not spared. A dilapidated building of the BMC near Gate Bazar square, which served as library decades back was demolished. The large gate of the Kuthari temple which had been constructed on encroached land was pulled down.
Most city dwellers welcomed this anti-encroachment drive as Gate Bazar area had become a major constraint for traffic on the high way. Efforts are also on to streamline traffic at Gate Bazar square.
A bypass road from new bus stand road to Lochapada road is being constructed. The administrative officials said survey work was on to assess the encroachment on the constricted portion of the Lochapada road that connects to NH-217 at Gate Bazar square.
