Odisha Government Declares War on Land Encroachment
The Odisha government has announced a comprehensive crackdown on illegal land encroachments across major urban centers, with Bhubaneswar being a primary focus area. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari made this significant declaration on Monday, revealing plans to reclaim government properties from unlawful occupants.
No One Will Be Spared in Cleanup Drive
In a bold statement, Minister Pujari acknowledged that both urban poor and wealthy land sharks are responsible for the widespread encroachment issues plaguing Odisha's cities. However, he emphasized that the government would show no leniency toward affluent individuals illegally occupying government land.
"Odisha will be freed from encroachments. Land illegally occupied by wealthy individuals will be reclaimed," Pujari stated firmly. The minister also revealed that arrangements would be made for impoverished citizens who genuinely lack land, showing the government's balanced approach to the complex issue.
Developmental Use of Reclaimed Land
The government has outlined plans for the recovered properties, indicating that encroached land suitable for leasing to entities for developmental purposes will receive special consideration. This strategic approach aims to ensure that reclaimed land contributes to the state's progress and infrastructure development.
The severity of the land grabbing problem was highlighted by Ritesh Mahanty, a resident of Acharya Vihar, who commented: "Land grabbing has become a common phenomenon, especially in Bhubaneswar. People deliberately target government land and illegally occupy it. It is a right step by the government to free those lands."
The anti-encroachment initiative represents one of the most significant urban land reform efforts undertaken by the state government in recent years. With Bhubaneswar experiencing rapid urbanization and development pressure, the recovery of illegally occupied government land could free up substantial areas for planned development and public welfare projects.
The government's determination to tackle this long-standing issue signals a new era of urban governance in Odisha, where systematic land management and protection of public properties become paramount priorities for sustainable urban growth.
