Bhubaneswar: The Unit-II Market Building in Odisha capital has been closed for indefinite period as the shopkeepers resorted to agitation to press their demand of evicting makeshift stalls from the area.

As the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) didn't evict the makeshift shops, the Central Market Traders' Association decided for closure of Market Building from today, said Pradyumna Kumar Jena, president of the association.

As many as 165 traders will close their shops and stage dharna on the Market Building premises, he added.

The shopkeepers have also threatened to stage dharna in front of the residences of city Mayor Sulochana Das and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange over the issue.

The shopkeepers have alleged that some people have encroached upon the Market Building by opening makeshift vending stalls at the shopping complex.

The owners of permanent shops at Market Building are facing a lot of problems due to the presence of hundreds of makeshift stalls at the shopping complex. This apart, the makeshift stalls are causing unnecessary congestions at Market Building, they alleged.

The shopkeepers further alleged that a few officials of the BMC are shielding the owners of the makeshift stalls at Market Building by collecting money from them.