Odisha Government begins process to demolish 221 unsafe buildings in Cuttack after HC intervention

The Odisha State Government has initiated steps to demolish 221 buildings declared unsafe in Cuttack city, the state’s former capital and a major commercial hub, following the intervention of the Orissa High Court.

A division bench comprising Justices S K Sahoo and V Narasingh heard the matter on September 18. The Bench had earlier asked the district administration to apprise the Court on the steps taken regarding the demolition of the unsafe structures that endangered public safety.

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A committee formed by the Cuttack district administration submitted a report to the High Court stating that 221 unsafe buildings have been identified. Of these, 219 buildings are owned by public authorities, while two are privately owned.

In accordance with the law, 15 cases under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, have been initiated by the Sub-Collector, Sadar, Cuttack, against such persons/ authorities to vacate the buildings and proceed with demolition.

Section 152 of the BNSS empowers a magistrate to issue conditional orders for the removal of public nuisances, including dangerous buildings, obstructions, harmful trades, and to remove obstructions including trees, animals, tanks, wells or excavations that pose a risk to public health, safety, or comfort.

Notices were duly issued against the person/authorities concerned and they were heard personally on August 17, 2025 by the Sub-Collector, Sadar, Cuttack, who passed appropriate orders for the evacuation of the identified structures, an affidavit submitted by Cuttack Additional District Magistrate before the High Court stated.

The affidavit also stated that a coordination meeting was held on September 4, where all stakeholders were present, including representatives from the Cuttack Development Authority, the City Engineer of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), and the office of the Superintending Engineer. The meeting included detailed discussions on immediate implementation of the demolition orders under Section 152 BNSS.

The proposed action to be taken by each authority in the context of eventual demolition of the unsafe buildings has been clearly delineated in the report, it said.

The affidavit further noted that communications have been sent to other custodians and owners of the unsafe buildings who were not represented in the meeting, instructing them to take necessary action as per the demolition plan.