Bhubaneswar: The shopkeepers of Unit 2 Market Building in the Odisha capital here have threatened to close the shopping complex for indefinite period if the civic authorities fail to solve the issues related to makeshift stalls within three days.

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

The shopkeepers have alleged that some people have virtually 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.

“We have raised the issue of makeshift stalls with the BMC several times. But, nothing has been done in this regard. Now, we have decided to close our shops for indefinite period if the civic authorities fail to solve the issue within three days,” said Unit 2 Central Market Association president Pradyumna Kumar Jena.

The shopkeepers along with their family members will stage dharna in front of the residences of the Mayor and BMC Commissioner to protest against the authorities’ callousness to solve the issue, said Unit 2 Central Market Association Joint Secretary Ranjit Kumar Mohanty.