Odisha: BMC seeks 4 days to resolve Market Building impasse

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) reportedly urged the shopkeepers of Unit-2 Market Building in the capital city here to reopen the shopping complex, which has remained shut for the last 10 days.

BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange reportedky sought three/four days time to resolve the issues related to makeshift vending stalls at Market Building, sources said.

The Central Market Association of Market Building has closed the shopping complex for indefinite period since July 17 seeking immediate eviction of makeshift vending stalls from the locality.

The Central Market Association 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.

They have claimed that the civic authorities were supposed to evict the makeshift stalls from Market Building in 2020. However, the authorities are yet to do so despite repeated appeals in this regard, they said.

“We are ready to reopen our shops at Market Building only after receiving a letter from the BMC stating that they have evicted all makeshift vending stalls from the shopping complex,” said an office-bearer of the Central Market Association.

Notably, the Odisha Traders’ Association had earlier threatened to close all major markets in Bhubaneswar for indefinite period to protest against the alleged failure of the BMC to resolve the Market Building impasse.