Major Encroachment Drive Completed in Khariar Road: 124 Structures Removed in Five Days to Facilitate Four-Laning of NH-353

Nuapada, August 28: A major encroachment removal drive undertaken to facilitate the widening of NH-353 from two lanes to four lanes through Khariar Road town was successfully completed on Friday. The five-day operation, which began on Monday, resulted in the removal of 124 shops and other unauthorised structures along a stretch of approximately 3.5 kilometres. The drive was carried out under the direct supervision of Nuapada District Collector Madhusudan Dash, with a specially constituted administrative team led by Sub-Collector Surmi Soren. The removal of structures obstructing the proposed four-laning project has now cleared the required space for the road-widening work. The administration maintained close coordination and ensured law and order throughout the operation. The drive was completed peacefully with the cooperation of local traders and residents. District Collector Madhusudan Dash expressed his gratitude to Nuapada MLA Jay Dholakia, Superintendent of Police Amritpal Singh and his team, the Khariar Road business community, representatives of the print and electronic media, and the local people for their cooperation and positive approach. He stated that the collective support and cooperation of all stakeholders helped the administration complete the major operation within the scheduled timeframe. The eviction team included Nuapada Tahasildar Lalatendu Dandasena, Additional Tahasildar Dilip Kumar Patra, Kaustubh Sa, Jagajiban Majhi and Diptimayee Panigrahi, Revenue Supervisor Akshaya Kumar Naik, along with other officials and staff of the Revenue Department. The proposed four-laning of NH-353 is expected to significantly improve traffic movement and road safety in Khariar Road town. Besides easing congestion, the upgraded highway is also expected to give a fresh boost to infrastructure development, commercial activities and overall economic growth in the region.