(From top) Poor sanitation and maintenance has resulted in the dismal state of BDA Market Complex at Baramunda in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 19: A 12-year-old market complex of the Bhubaneswar Development Authorities (BDA) near Baramunda bus stand is lying in a shambles. The complex has 200 shops.

The complex, which was supposed to attract good business because of its proximity to the bus terminal, has failed to live up to its promise, as problems such as lack of maintenance, poor water supply, electricity and sanitation continue to plague it. Allegations of official apathy and lack of coordination between them and the shop owners are also flying thick and fast.

There are plants sprouting from crannies in the walls of the building that is spattered with cowpats. People living nearby have also been using it as a toilet. Garbage lies scattered everywhere on the complex. “There is no cooperation from the authorities and at the same time there is lack of coordination between shop owners. As a result, this place looks awful,” said Jitu Mohapatra, a shop owner.

He also said that lack of security had turned the market complex into a den for hoodlums. Nodding in agreement, Dibakar Prusty, another shop owner said: “There is a lack of proper security in the market and the chances of theft are high.”

Customers too are reluctant to visit the market complex as unhygienic conditions have turned the area into a mosquito-breeding centre.

“The surroundings are so unhealthy and the place stinks so much that no one likes to come here,” said Sudarshan Rout, a local resident.

However, sources said that BDA officials were planning to renovate all the market complexes built by them but the responsibility of maintenance would lie with the respective market associations.

“We have come across a numbers of market complexes that are in dire need of renovation. Very soon we will formulate a strategy to revamp the condition of the market complex,” said Ashutosh Mallick, a BDA engineer.