Bhubaneswar, Nov. 13: A joint-team of the Central Enforcement Management Committee today demolished 20 shops of the Mahatab Market Complex at the Sudarpada-Kapila Prasad Weekly Haat to facilitate construction of an approach road to the Pokhariput railway overbridge.
The Bhubaneswar Development Authority's enforcement squad led the eviction drive. Officials of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, police, general administration department and the public works department were present at the site.
Six occupants, who had their stalls on the first row of the complex, evacuated before the demolition started. A roadside eatery, cement dealership, fabrication unit and some storage units were operating at the front portion of the market complex.
The authority's enforcement officer Pramod Kumar Patro said: "The decision to demolish the market was taken on July 1 at a meeting. Under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary-cum-development commissioner U.N. Behera, the meeting discussed the progress of the Pokhariput railway overbridge. The land acquisition and other issues coming in the way of the flyover had also been discussed."
Interestingly, while the Pokhariput portion of the bridge is nearing completion, work for the other half, on the Bhimatangi-Sundarpada-end, started on November 3.
Bhimatangi resident Manas Sahoo said: "The delay in the overbridge work is affecting both commuters and local residents. The authority should accelerate their action."
The authority's liasioning officer Subhransu Sekhar Mohanty said: "Following the demolition of the old market, the non-vegetarian market nearby will also be demolished, and the traders selling mutton, chicken and fish at the space have promised to evacuate. Once the path is cleaned, the works officials will start a detailed survey for the approach road to the flyover."
Councillor of ward No. 67 Debi Prasad Nanda, under whose jurisdiction falls areas such as Ekamra College, Airfield police station, Kapila Prasad BDA Colony, Sundarpada and Kapilaprasad said: "The flyover should have been designed straight to connect to the Sundarpada-Jatni road. Why was it diverted and make a turn needing demolition of so many establishments?"
He, however, requested the works officials to speed up the matter and finish the construction.
Works department executive engineer (division II) Prashant Patra said: "Apart from the 50-metre space near the railway tracks and the market under demolition, some land is yet to be acquired for the Bhimanagi-Sundarpada-end of the flyover. The revenue authorities should provide the land quickly."
