Bhubaneswar, Nov. 18 -- A massive eviction drive has begun in Bhubaneswar's Salia Sahi, where the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) are jointly clearing encroachments for the upcoming 13-km left parallel road from Ekamra Kanana to Andharua.

Officials confirmed that 517 houses have been marked for demolition in this phase, which will continue till November 24. Earlier, a portion of the settlement had already been cleared, but the remaining stretch now needs to be freed for uninterrupted road construction.

Sources said the eviction drive will begin from the Hatiasuni area. However, the residents staged a sit-in opposing the eviction drive.

"We will not allow eviction until we are rehabili...