Temple Authorities Remove Idols To Make Way For SCB Expansion In Cuttack

Cuttack: Showing solidarity with the ongoing eviction drive for expansion of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, the temple authorities of Trinath and Mangala temples near the CESU office at Jobra voluntarily shifted the deities on Tuesday.

It was a rare heartening scene as the administration often have to face stiff opposition during eviction drives.

Senior officials of SCB development team appreciated the effort and saluted the spirit of Cuttack.

Central Range Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central, Anil Kumar Samal said that people have been co-operating in the eviction drive, which will be intensified from Wednesday.

“Some temples and mosques in hospital periphery will be demolished while the slums, residential houses and government quarters will be taken up in a phased manner. Besides, 13 government quarters inside the hospital premises will also be demolished,” he added.

Both sides of Taladanda Canal will be cleared by month-end, he added.

According to a survey, 454 houses of slum dwellers and 88 unauthorised shopping units are on either side of the canal. Besides, 12 of 42 authorised shops of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) have been demolished. The remaining will meet the same fate if need be.

REHABILITATION

Briefing on the rehabilitation measures, Samal said that the slum dwellers will be provided food and shelter in tent houses for eight days. The CMC has arranged for transportation of their belongings. They will also be given Rs 50,000 compensation and 15X15 land near Nimpur on the banks of Birupa river with all basic amenities.

The compensation for authorised shop owners is Rs 1 lakh compensation and they will be given priority for setting up shops at the vending zone. The unauthorised shop owners will be given Rs 30,000 and vendors will be compensated with Rs 20,000.

The temple administrations will be provided up to Rs 1 lakh compensation depending on the size of the temple, he said.

“A dargah in the area will also be demolished and its authorities will be provided with compensated adequately,” Samal said.

Package has also been declared for acquisition of private land for the expansion of SCB, he added.