Vehicular communication was affected at Master Canteen Square on Saturday as traders resorted to a road blockade protesting snapping of electricity and water supply to Ashoka Market by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).
The agitators under the banner of the Ashoka Market Traders’ Association blocked the road near the market by burning tyres and alleging that they were not issued a prior notice by the BDA.
“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. The market is a medicine hub as there are around 70-80 medicine shops. The cold chain has to be maintained. But we are not able to open our shops without electricity,” said a shop owner.
“The BDA carried out the eviction drive at around 4 am 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 another vendor.
Notably, a decision has been 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 BDA has started the eviction drive at Ashoka Market here for which it has reportedly snapped power and water supply in the area.