Unit-II Market Building Closure In Bhubaneswar: BMC Seeks Shopkeepers’ Cooperation, Time For Talks

Bhubaneswar: As the Unit-II Market Building in Odisha capital was shut for an indefinite period from Monday with traders launching a protest, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) sought the cooperation of shopkeepers to resolve the issue.

The Unit-II Market Building, one of the oldest and most affordable shopping destinations in Bhubaneswar, was shut with shopkeepers resorting to agitation alleging inaction of BMC to resolve the ongoing dispute between makeshift and permanent vendors.

BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange the cooperation of 165 permanent shop owners is necessary to find a solution to the problem.

Stating that makeshift vendors in the shopping arena in Unit-II possess the order of Orissa High Court, he said BMC will hold discussion with all stakeholders to find out a solution for their rehabilitation. A decision in this regard will be taken after necessary legal consultation, he said.

Earlier, two rounds of discussions were held among the stakeholders and as the issue involves legal complications and the rehabilitation process is a time-consuming affair, the commissioner urged the agitators to give more time.

BMC is keen to sort out the demand to shift the temporary vendors elsewhere outside Market Building. However, cooperation of the permanent shop owners is needed, he emphasised.

Worth mentioning, Market Building was closed earlier in the day for an indefinite period as the 165 shop owners resorted to agitation to press their demand of evicting makeshift shops from the area.

As the BMC didn’t evict the makeshift shops, the Central Market Traders’ Association decided for closure of Market Building from today, president of the association Pradyumna Kumar Jena said.