Eviction drive in Odisha

In its bid to streamline road traffic, the administration in Odisha's Koraput district is all set to launch an eviction drive next month at Jeypore, Koraput, Sunabeda and Kotpad.
"The encroachments on either side of National Highway-26 slow down traffic flow in these towns. Accidents have become a regular feature on this stretch," said Koraput district Collector Jaya Kumar V.
The collector said survey work at Sunabeda and Kotpad has been completed and notices served on the encroachers. "Police and revenue officials are carrying out a joint survey at Jeypore and Koraput," he said.
The survey identified unauthorised constructions, obstructive parking and faulty designs. Roadside eateries and stalls were the main culprit, a senior official said.

The administration will also remove encroachments inside the towns. "Structures that obstruct traffic and hamper pedestrian movement will be removed," the collector said.
To streamline traffic, police are identifying plots in these towns that can be converted into parking lots, he added. "Encorachments led to frequent traffic jams. We welcome the move of administration," said Akhaya Sahu, secretary of Jeypore Citizen Committee.