Bhubaneswar, March 13: The municipal corporation today evicted the temporary vendors, who had encroached upon the free space and the road outside the Unit-II market.

Besides the vendors, several illegal extensions and encroachments by permanent traders in front of their establishments were also removed to create space on the walkway.

Customers, traders and the general public welcomed the step taken by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation but cautioned that the authorities should be careful in preventing further encroachment on the same space.

The permanent traders doing business in the market building had been complaining about the temporary vendors encroaching upon the road in front of their shops, which, in turn, was affecting their business. These vendors had occupied the 50-feet wide and 200-feet long road inside the market that the corporation had revamped as part of its beautification drive. The traders association had spent Rs 28 lakh in 2010 for the makeover that was carried out by the civic body in the public-private partnership mode.

"We installed ornamental lights and benches for the customers. We made proper drinking water facilities and looked after the cleanliness of the market," said Pradyumna Kumar Jena, member of the central market association.

The civic body had initiated the beautification drive to woo more costumers and make the market a popular hangout spot in the city. However, later the temporary vendors sought court intervention, following which the corporation allowed them to sell their commodities there.

Since then, the customers have been facing a inconveniences while entering the market. "It was affecting our business. Besides, the hawkers used to try their best to prevent the customers from entering the market building. We had complained to the corporation, but nothing happened. Thankfully, the mayor took the step last evening, and we all welcome it," said Ramakrushna Das, a member of the association, a union of the permanent traders.

While over 200 such temporary vendors were removed from the free space, the authorities today demolished around 30 illegal extensions encroaching on the road. Mayor A.N. Jena, who had come to the market building to attend a function, took immediate step after seeing the precarious condition created by the temporary vendors.

"We were getting complaints from the public as well as the traders. The action was taken to pave way for the public to have a free access to the market," said the mayor.

The traders complained that in the past, these temporary vendors, who had been doing business here by purchasing space from brokers, created a lot of inconvenience to the customers.

However, the customers, too, are now happy with the step. "Earlier it was difficult for anyone to enter the market building. But this morning, the situation was different. It looked so beautiful without those shanties. The authorities must ensure that the beauty of this market remain intact," said Braja Kishore Sahu, a customer.

"The authorities should have taken this step much earlier. However, better late than never," said Anisha Rath, a college student.