The district administration on Monday served notices to the owners of the shops that are located near the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in the town asking them to vacate the premises ahead of a demolition drive.
Sources said senior administrative officials along with the police also conducted an inspection and informed the owners to vacate the shops at the earliest.
Though the shop owners have started shifting their goods from the shops, they said they are ready to vacate their shops for the beautification drive as per the Chief Minister’s appeal, but they are apprehensive of losing their livelihoods.
It would have been better if the administration had rehabilitated them before eviction, they added.
In reaction, Law Minister Pratap Jena said the Government would definitely look after them.
Notably, all shops within a 75-metre radius of the Jagannath Temple would be demolished to ensure safety and security of the 12th-century shrine as per the recommendations of Justice BP Das Commission.