The locals of Nayapalli area staged a demonstration on Saturday against the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) decision to close the city’s oldest Kalyan Mandap in the area and run the BMC office from there.
The agitators led by Milan Kumar Paikray alleged that the BMC has stopped booking of the Mandap over last one year and instead is using a community hall in Unit 8 area in its name. They gave a stern warning that there would be law and order situation if the BMC demolishes the Kalayn Mandap.
They complained that if BMC office runs from the place, it would lead to traffic congestion in the narrow street since there are the DAV School, several banks and commericial establishments in the locality. Besides they said BMC gate is locked by the sweepers most often. If such agitation continues, the area will be cut off from the rest of the city most of the time.
Holding the local Corporators and MlA responsible for such apathy, the agitators warned to gherao the Urban Development Minister, the BMC Mayor, the local MlA and lock the BMC office if the Kalyan Mandap is not opened in a week. They also threatened to gherao the Navin Niwas and move the Orissa High Court, if the BMC does not refrain from its decision.