Konark, Apr 3: In a concerning turn of events, large-scale land encroachment has been reported in the Puri-Konark region in Odisha, where hundreds of tractors are allegedly extracting soil illegally.

Locals from Beladala village have raised objections, claiming that the extracted soil is being used to fill a nearby canal — blocking water access to vast agricultural lands — while unauthorised construction projects take shape.

Eyewitnesses report that seven tractors are actively involved, with six of them operating without registration numbers. The villagers accuse the irrigation department of turning a blind eye to the illegal activities, and claim that influential officials may be backing the operation.

Following these allegations, administrative authorities have launched an investigation. The mining department has sent officials to assess the situation, while the Marine police station has confiscated unregistered tractors from the site.

As tensions rise, Beladala villagers demand an immediate halt to the project and have staged protests to draw attention to the issue. They urge authorities to take strict action against those responsible for disrupting the region’s irrigation and land stability.

The area falls under the jurisdiction of Gopa Tahasil, where officials continue their probe. Residents insist that legal enforcement is necessary to prevent further environmental and agricultural damage.

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