10 Kalyan Mandaps sealed in Odisha’s Cuttack for flouting norms

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, May 17:

The Enforcement Squad comprising of officials of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) today sealed as many as ten Kalyan Mandaps (banquet halls) for flouting norms.

As per the directive of Orissa High Court on March 17 this year, the officials sealed the ten Kalyan Mandaps in the first phase of the drive for operating without a valid license from the civic body.

The authorities sealed nine mandaps in Lalbag area and one in Bidanasi area.

“Ten Kalyan Mandaps running without a valid license in Bidanasi and Lalbag area have been sealed. The High Court had directed us to initiate action against 104 Kalyan Mandaps and we will complete the process within the next two days,” CMC Recovery Officer, Tilottoma Sahoo said.

It may be recalled that Orissa High Court had ordered for closure of all the 104 Kalyan Mandaps that were being operated in the city without any licence from the civic body.

Adjudicating over a letter petition filed by a group of five citizens of Silver City, the division bench comprising of Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice SC Parija directed the civic body for the closure of these mandaps.

The petitioners had alleged that the mandaps were causing public inconvenience. They had alleged that the mandaps used for marriages and other social functions did not have adequate parking space thereby causing serious traffic congestion. This apart, they also brazenly flouted sound pollution norms and did not follow waste management mechanism. After the functions are over, the mandaps littered garbage and other waste on the roads posing health hazards to the residents.

On the other hand, the Health department authorities today sealed two nursing homes and a diagnostic centre in the city operating without approval. Durga Nursing Home in Cantonment area, Sai Krishna Nursing Home in Mangalabag area and a diagnostic in the city were sealed.