Curfew Lifted in Balasore, Odisha Following Community Cooperation During Eviction Drive

The curfew that was initially enforced on Saturday to prevent any disturbances during an eviction operation in Balasore was lifted later, according to an official. The curfew had been set for two days, covering Saturday and Sunday. A district official mentioned that after assessing the situation and reviewing case records, a new order was issued to revoke the curfew.

The eviction drive was necessary because some individuals had illegally occupied railway land, hindering the construction of a third railway line. This line is being built from Narayangarh in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district to Bhadrak via Balasore. The new rail line aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the region.

Curfew Details and Eviction Process

The district administration had previously declared, "Curfew is hereby imposed in the area from Aradbazar to Vegetable market, Haripur to Darji Pokhari Chak, Kasimila bridge to Fuladi Chak, Nuabazar Railway gate, Golapola and Nuabazar Vegetable Market on both sides of the road from 4 am to 10 pm on January 11 and 4 am to 10 pm on January 12." This measure was intended to ensure a smooth eviction process.

During Saturday's eviction activities, an official stated, "We have cordoned off the earmarked eviction area and people are voluntarily vacating their places. There is no resistance from any quarter." Approximately 238 houses were scheduled for demolition, with around 2,000 residents affected by the operation.

The decision to lift the curfew came after authorities evaluated the situation and determined that it was safe to proceed without restrictions. The eviction drive continued smoothly as planned, with no reported incidents of opposition or unrest among those affected.

This development marks a significant step towards completing the railway project, which is expected to bring substantial benefits in terms of reduced travel time and enhanced regional connectivity once finished.