Archive · 14 Jan 2026
HC Notice to Odisha on Road Encroachment Near Patnaik's House
The Orissa High Court has asked the Odisha government to explain why a busy road near the house of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is blocked.
A man named Prakash Chandra Das complained that the road has been blocked for many years, causing traffic problems and accidents.
He said that since Naveen Patnaik is no longer the Chief Minister, there is no reason to keep the road blocked.
The court is looking into this matter to make sure the road is safe and easy to use for everyone.
The Orissa High Court issued a show-cause notice to the Odisha Chief Secretary regarding the alleged encroachment of the Old Airport Road near former CM Naveen Patnaik's residence.
RTI activist Prakash Chandra Das filed a petition seeking the high court's intervention to free the road from obstruction, citing traffic jams, accidents, and difficulties for emergency vehicles.
The petition alleges that Naveen Patnaik, during his 24-year tenure as Chief Minister, misused his power and position to encroach upon one side of the double road in front of his house for security reasons.
The court's notice comes as a new government is elected to power, and Naveen Patnaik is now the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The encroachment has caused significant inconvenience to commuters, school buses, ambulances, and fire trucks, leading to loss of life and property.
- Who
- RTI activist Prakash Chandra Das and the Orissa High Court
- What
- Issuance of a show-cause notice to the Odisha Chief Secretary regarding alleged encroachment of the Old Airport Road near former CM Naveen Patnaik's residence
- When
- The notice was issued recently, with the petition filed by the RTI activist
- Where
- Old Airport Road and Ekamra Road, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Why
- To address the alleged encroachment of the road, which causes traffic jams, accidents, and difficulties for emergency vehicles, and to seek the high court's intervention to free the road for public use
- Petitioner
- Prakash Chandra Das
- Respondent
- Odisha Chief Secretary
- Location
- Old Airport Road, Bhubaneswar
- Article of Constitution
- 226 and 227
- Former CM
- Naveen Patnaik
- Current Status
- Leader of Opposition in Odisha Legislative Assembly
- Duration of Encroachment
- 24 years
- Impact
- Traffic jams, accidents, and difficulty for emergency vehicles