Bhograi: Allegations of illegal encroachment on land earmarked for an Indian Air Force (IAF) facility at Talasari beach in Baleshwar district have raised concerns over the security of the proposed defence installation.
Locals have also sought a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the activities of a hotel operating near the site.
The Defence Ministry is reportedly developing the facility on four acres of land at an estimated cost of more than Rs 16.36 crore. The project includes the construction of buildings and a boundary wall, with work being carried out at a rapid pace.
The initiative, which had reportedly remained pending since the 1990s, is now being taken up by the IAF’s Kalai Kunda station in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district. According to revenue officials, 10 acres were initially identified for the Defence Ministry project, with 50 acres more land reportedly being considered.
A signboard at the site identifies the land as belonging to the Ministry of Defence under the Indian Air Force and prohibits public access, construction, cultivation and dumping of waste. However, defence authorities have alleged that some influential people have illegally occupied parts of the land, erected fences and started constructing a hotel. Four security personnel are reportedly stationed in an old building on the premises.
The presence of a hotel near the proposed defence facility has also come under scrutiny following allegations of unlawful activities. Talasari Marine police reportedly questioned the hotel manager and initiated identity verification.
The manager subsequently fled, according to the report. Local residents have demanded verification of Aadhaar and voter identity documents of the hotel owner and manager, besides an NIA investigation to establish their nationality. However, there is no independent confirmation of the allegations or any evidence linking the hotel to security threats.
The development comes amid growing defence infrastructure along Odisha’s coastline, including missile testing facilities at Chandipur and Wheeler Island and naval training facilities at Chilika. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Shiv Malviya said the district administration had received no official information from the Defence Ministry regarding the proposed air force station at Talasari.
Jaleswar SDPO Suresh Kumar Tripathy said police were taking strict measures to prevent unlawful activities in Talasari and Udaypur. Social activist Ashish Dhawan stressed the need to strengthen security around the proposed defence facility.
Bhograi Tehsildar Surya Kumar Nayak said steps would be taken to evict illegal occupants from government land.