Land Mafia At Work On Odisha’s Puri Beach? Admn Orders Probe Into Plotting, Construction

Puri: Land mafia, which has been active in different parts of Odisha, appears to be targeting the vast coastline in the state as plotting being carried out on Puri beach has come to the notice of the administration.

As per information, a large number of poles have been erected for demarcation of the area on the Puri beach near Bela Marg Sterling Chhak in the pilgrim town.

Locals alleged that the land mafia have also been in touch with some potential customers from outside Odisha to sell the land on the beach in violation of the norms of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).

After learning about the development, Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) has swung into action. Out of the four classifications as per the CRZ rules, the land close to sea comes under CRZ 1 & 2 class. Under section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, any form of excavation and construction activities in the area is prohibited and a publishable offence, sources said.

Speaking on the issue, Puri district Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain said told reporters that the administration received a complaint regarding someone undertaking construction activities in the form of residential complex.

PKDA officials have initiated steps to halt the activities and asked the people concerned to stop the construction work in the area.

It appears that some portions of the beach land have been settled in records and CRZ permission received on such technical grounds, Swain said.

He said the sub collector has been asked to ascertain as to how and under what circumstances the land was settled and take steps to protect the shoreline and rectify the lacuna as no construction work can be undertaken on the beach.

Noting that the Tehsildar has now power in settlement, the Collector said that the forest official in-charge of CRZ has also been informed to undertake a field visit before granting permission so that the shoreline remain protected.