Barricade to be removed in front of ‘Naveen Niwas’ Department of Law to expedite after High Court’s displeasure, Opinion sought from Commissionerate Police, Traffic DCP through Home Department
BHUBANESWAR:A major administrative and legal dispute has arisen over the security barricades erected in front of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence ‘Naveen Niwas’ on Old Airport Road in the capital Bhubaneswar. The court has expressed its deep dissatisfaction over the inaction of the administration in a case filed in the Orissa High Court regarding the allegations of obstruction of traffic by erecting barricades on government roads.
On April 27, the General Administration and Public Grievances (GA & PG) department had written to the Works Department to take necessary steps. Now, the Works Department has written to the Home Department. The opinion of the Commissionerate Police or DCP Traffic has been sought. It has been asked to inform whether any other structure is required for security reasons along with the removal of the security barricades.
A person named Prakash Chandra Das had filed a case in the High Court in WP(C) No.19748/2025. Plot No. 1071 under Bhimpur Maujar Account No. 740, which is a ‘road’, is barricaded and obstructing the movement of people. The petitioner requested the court to unblock the said road and remove the unauthorized barricades that have been erected.
The Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of GA&PG Department, Principal Secretary of Public Works Department, BMC Commissioner and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik were also made parties in this case.
During the hearing of the case on February 3, the High Court expressed its strong displeasure over the role of government officials. It said that it was unfortunate that no action had been taken for the last few months and directed that immediate steps be taken to remove any unauthorized encroachments after conducting field verification within three weeks. Regarding such directions of the High Court, a letter was written to the Additional Secretary of the GA&PG Department on behalf of the Additional Standing Counsel.
After this, a joint inspection was conducted on February 12, 2026 by a joint team of the GA&PG Department, Bhubaneswar Metropolitan Corporation, Construction Department, Bhubaneswar Development Authority, Tehsildar and Traffic Police. The inspection report showed that about 0.229 acres of land in Plot No. 1071 in front of Naveen’s residence has been surrounded by iron barricades for security purposes. Similarly, another 0.330 acres of land, plot number 1035, is also inside this barricade.
The report also states that the remaining part of the area is being used as a public road. The inspection also mentions that a 100-feet wide alternative road has been constructed from Airport Square to Poonama Gate for the then Chief Minister for security reasons.
According to government records, the diversion road was built by acquiring some land from the BPI Airport Authority. The documents also show that other government land was later given to the Airport Authority in exchange.
However, the Department of Public Works has now written to the Home Department to implement the High Court’s order. The Commissionerate Police and DCP Traffic have been consulted and their opinion has been sought on shifting or removing the barricades.
