As the Cyclonic storm 'DAYE' triggered heavy downpour accompanied by high-velocity wind in Paradip, the weeklong Viswhakarma Puja celebrations in the PPT township has been disrupted with instances of damages to the Puja Pandals and caving in of structures.Normally, hawkers and street vendors, who come to Paradip not only from the nearby areas but from faraway places, put up makeshift stalls to sell their products during celebrations. But the inclement weather has severely dented their business.
The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) normally allots open spaces to these people by floating tender. The PPT management, however taking a sympathetic view of the circumstances, as a goodwill gesture has decided to refund the money collected from these small stalls and cycle stands, etc. This has given relief to the poor hawkers and stall owners, who were otherwise facing the prospect of losses.