Curfew In Odisha’s Balasore For Anti-Encroachment Drive To Facilitate Rail Line Expansion

Balasore: Prohibitory orders were imposed in Odisha’s Balasore town on Saturday to facilitate an eviction drive, to remove unauthorised structures, and clear illegal encroachments for a railway line.

Official sources said the curfew restrictions will remain in force for 18 hours till Sunday night in several places. The district administration has imposed curfew from 4 am on Saturday to 10 pm on Sunday in areas like Arad Bazaar to Pariba Market, Haripur to Darji Pokhari Chhak, Kasimila Bridge to Fuladi Chhak, and from Nuabazaar Railway Gate to both sides of the road leading to Pariba Market.

All forms of gatherings, meetings, and processions have been strictly prohibited during the curfew period.

The administration has issued a notice in this regard and has planned strict measures to clear encroachments in Jadupur, Aktiarpur, and Bhaskarganj mouzas of Balasore. As per reports, the encroachments were obstructing the work of a third railway line.

While a third line of the railways is being constructed, several unauthorised structures have come up in the vicinity and are obstructing the smooth flow of work. Therefore, an eviction drive is slated to be undertaken, said a senior official.

Eviction notices had been handed out well in advance and curfew orders had been issued as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

Notably, a third railway line from Narayangarh in Paschim Medinipur of West Bengal to Bhadrak, passing through Balasore, is under construction to reduce traffic and enhance connectivity.