Mauryalok complex in Patna. Telegraph picture

Traders at Mauryalok complex, one of the biggest shopping hubs in the state capital, are unhappy with the alleged apathy of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Representatives of the traders on Tuesday said the complex has turned into a “living hell” because of the PMC’s “lackadaisical attitude”.

“Mauryalok complex is the heart of the city because of its location and commercial significance. But the PMC has made lives worse for the shopkeepers in the complex. Despite collecting around Rs 2 crore every year as maintenance charge, we are not even getting the basic facilities,” said Rajesh Kumar Dabloo, the president of Mauryalok Shopkeepers’ Welfare Committee.

The traders took strong exception to the PMC’s “delay” in giving a no-objection certificate to Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) to carry out the beautification and renovation work at the complex.

“The government had assigned the project to BUIDCo several months ago, but the corporation has not given the necessary no-objection certificate to the agency yet. Moreover, the matter was not cleared at two empowered standing committee meetings of the civic body. This questions the intention of the PMC authorities. Why don’t they want the development of the complex?” Dabloo asked.

The traders also demanded suspension of the executive engineer of the PMC’s new capital circle within a week.

“Encroachment is a major issue in the complex and hundreds of unauthorised vendors are allowed on its campus and corridors of the building. The engineer gets over Rs 5 lakh collected from them every month illegally. If he is not suspended within a week, we would shut down all the shops for an indefinite period,” Dabloo added.

The complex houses over 500 shops and 100 offices, many of them are state and central government agencies.

The traders also shared their pain on how lack of facilities like public convenience and drinking water were creating hassles for the shopkeepers and visitors alike. “We have been demanding improvement of the seven toilets on the campus. But the PMC has closed six of them and assigned a sweeper to maintain the rest,” Dabloo said.

PMC commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pal, however, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.