Street Vendors Stage Protest Against BMC’s Eviction Drive In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Two days after the BMC announced that unregistered vendors, who run their business in makeshift structures in Bhubaneswar, would be evicted, hundreds of vendors staged a demonstration and gheraoed its north zone office on Thursday.

The vendors took out a rally at NALCO Square in the city raising slogans against the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).

They said their eviction from the current place of business without providing any alternative was unfair and affected their livelihood. Their 10-point charter for demands included halt to the ongoing drive against the street vendors and provision of a vending zone for them.

Pointing out that a similar drive during Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup last year had caused immense loss to them, they said they should be first allotted space in a vending zone before evicting them for their present place.

The agitators also threatened to intensify their agitation if the BMC and BDA failed to take any step on their demands.

On Tuesday, Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das had said the unregistered vendors, who run their business in makeshift structures, would not be permitted to open shops. Their stalls will be evicted soon, he has warned.

Also Read: Makeshift Shops To Be Removed From 55 Main Road Stretches: Bhubaneswar Mayor