The Market Building in Bhubaneswar will remain closed for three days starting today as the traders shut the market as part of their protest against the alleged inaction of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to resolve the ongoing dispute between makeshift and permanent vendors.
According to sources, the Market Building Traders’ Association has been alleging encroachment by the makeshift vendors and demanding their eviction.
The street vendors are destroying the beauty of the market area and making it crowded, the association had alleged and urged the BMC to take necessary action.
As many as 180-200 makeshift vendors run their business in and around the market building, sources informed.
Meanwhile, the association has threatened to shut the market building for an indefinite period if the street vendors are not evicted within these days.
However, no comments from BMC officials could be obtained regarding the development.
“We will protest for three days and see what action is being taken. If no solution comes out, we will continue our protest,” said a trader.
“The street vendors are creating unnecessary crowd causing inconvenience to the customers. Incidents of chain snatching and other crimes also increased only for the street vendors. As our demands are being ignored, we resorted to bandh. Our discussions with concerned officials including Mayor, and deputy mayor are on since March 1, but to no avail,” said Sisir Panda, secretary of Unit-2 Market Complex.
It is worthwhile to mention here that, the Market Building had remained closed for three days following a scuffle between the street vendors and members of the traders’ association in June last year.
Later, the business resumed following a discussion with the BMC officials and Commissionerate Police.