Cuttack: The inauguration of Netaji Bus Terminal in Odisha’s Cuttack faced another hurdle as the traders of government bus stand have threatened agitation for allotment of shops in the terminus.
Speaking to media persons in Cuttack on Tuesday, convener of Badambadi Byabasai Mahasangh (Badambadi Traders’ Association) Mohammad Sakil said the traders of the government bus stand at Badambadi face an uncertain future due to Netaji Terminal.
“After the new terminal starts operation, the traders of the Badambadi bus stand will be left high and dry as they would be deprived of their only source of income. The livelihood of hundreds of families of permanent and temporary traders having shops in the bus stand will be affected,” he said.
Sakil alleged that the state government had gone ahead with the new terminus without considering the cause of the traders. “Neither any government official has interacted with us nor space has been allotted in Netaji Terminus to the traders to shift their business,” he added.
At present, 147 registered traders and more than 500 unregistered traders have been doing daily business in Badambadi bus stand.
Sakil said the traders will launch an indefinite strike from Wednesday. “We will sit on a dharna at the bus stand till our demands are fulfilled. Hundreds of traders will also go on a rally to meet the chief minister on the day of inauguration of Netaji terminal on September 16,” he added.
It may be noted that a large number of locals staged a demonstration in the city on Sunday alleging lack of employment opportunities for the youths of the area at the Netaji Terminal.
Also Read: Locals Stage Protest Demanding Jobs At Netaji Bus Terminal In Cuttack Ahead Of Its Inauguration
