Shops Across Bhubaneswar To Be Closed To Protest BMC’s Failure To End Unit-II Market Building Row

Bhubaneswar: Traders across Odisha capital may close their shops for indefinite period to protest the alleged failure of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to meet the demand of shopkeepers of Unit-II Market Building.

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

Shopkeepers are suffering heavy loss as the Market Building has been shut for the last six days, but the BMC is yet to take any step to resolve the row, traders said.

Sources said the shopkeepers of all major markets in the city may soon close their shops for an indefinite period as a mark of solidarity towards the Central Market Association.

A final decision about the proposed closure of markets will be taken at a meeting of all shopkeepers’ associations of the state capital slated to be held on Sunday, they said.

The Central Market Association has alleged that some people have virtually encroached upon the Market Building by opening makeshift vending stalls in the complex.

The owners of permanent shops at Market Building are facing a lot of problems due to the presence of a large number of makeshift stalls, which are causing unnecessary congestions at Market Building, they claimed.