Ashoka Market Traders block road, protest snapping of power, water supply

Bhubaneswar: Vehicular movement came to a standstill at Rajmahal Square, one of the busiest routes in the capital city, as traders resorted to a road blockade today protesting snapping of electricity and water supply to Ashoka Market here without any prior notice.

The activists under the banner of the Ashoka Market Traders’ Association blocked the road at the market by burning tyres.

A decision was taken recently by the state government to demolish the Ashoka Market complex and develop a multiplex in its place. As a part of the programme, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has started the eviction drive at Ashoka Market here for which it has reportedly snapped power and water supply in the area.

The activists alleged that the BDA cut off electricity and water supply without any prior information.

“We were unaware about it. After reaching here in the morning to open our shops, we found that water and electricity lines have been cut off. The BDA did it without serving any notice. Around 70-80 medicine shops are there in the market. They refrigerate costly vaccines and injections. We are not able to open our shops,” said a shop owner.

“The BDA carried out the eviction drive at around 4am without informing us. I have a shop of food items, many of which are kept frozen. The authorities should have informed us before carrying out the drive,” said Sipra Sagarika, another vendor.