Jatni: The twin problems of an incomplete Jatni flyover and ownership dispute over erstwhile Srimandir land in 11 revenue villages have been dogging the residents of the suburb on the Capital outskirts.
According to sources, around one lakh farmers have lost their rights over landed properties in Mouza 13 under Jatni tehsil while the inordinate delay in Jatni flyover construction continues to give nightmarish experience to commuters, especially during rains.
These twin problems have now thrown major challenges at the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as the opposition parties are trying to make the most out of it by politicising the same.
Sources said the road, under the railway over-bridge, which connects Khurda and Pipli gets submerged during the rains. Although people have been demanding construction of a flyover there for the last 40 years, the railway authorities have ignored their demand. However, the state government took up the flyover project, and construction work for the project started three years ago.
But the private company, Panda Infraprojects Pvt Ltd, which was constructing the flyover, ran into litigation due to allegations of substandard work. Soon after, the contract firm left the project while fresh tenders are yet to be floated.
Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantray, an ex-MLA and Khurda district BJD President, said they have already talked to the Law Minister, Secretary and other officers regarding the Jatni flyover work. They have given an assurance to expedite the work, and soon e-tenders will be floated, he said.
Suresh Kumar Routray, an ex-MLA and the Khurda district Congress President, said they have already informed the higher authorities, and requested for an appointment with the CM. “We will block the road November 9 regarding the flyover and other matters,” he said.
In the second issue, it has been alleged that the local administration has illegally recorded the lands of the residents of 11 revenue villages – Budhapada, Niranjanpur, Rathipur, Harirajpur, Baunga, Bairanga, Beruhan, Kantia, Kudiary, Kusumati, Chanaghar and Tarada under Jatni tehsil – in the name of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee during a recent land settlement drive.
The villagers claimed that the administration had ignored their valid land pattas while recording the lands in the name of Srimandir managing committee. According to them, the administration had even recorded community lands, reserve lands and waste lands in the locality in the name of temple the temple administration by overlooking the interests of the locals.
The villagers claimed that the state government had taken control over huge amount of landed properties of Srimandir under Jatni tehsil under Orissa Estates Abolition Act, 1951. The state government had provided huge amount of compensation to Srimandir managing committee for the land.
Subsequently, the villagers were provided pattas over the land and they have been using the lands for residential and other purposes by paying rents to the state government.
It has been alleged that residents of 11 revenue villages are facing problems to avail benefits of various government schemes as their legal rights over the lands were abolished by the administration.
The villagers have moved the Orissa High Court on the land dispute and staged dharna near the tehsil and sub-registrar offices to highlight their plight.
They have also requested the minister and secretary concerned, and the Chief Minister to return their land.
Some residents also put forth their grievances before the Board of Revenue. Subsequently, the district collector had asked Jatni tehsildar to submit a report on the land dispute. However, the villagers are yet to get justice.