The Unit II market in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 7: Business is yet to pick up in the Unit II air-conditioned market inaugurated with much fanfare about a month ago. Less than 10 shops in the complex have opened their shutters.

Sources said these shops were part of the share of the builder who constructed the complex. But the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to get its share of shops from the builder. This was the reason of the low-key beginning for the marketing complex.

The market with 220 shops, was opened to the public on September 2. Its roof-top parking facility with capacity to accommodate 70 cars, the first of its kind in the state, is yet to become functional.

BMC assistant engineer Antaryami Patra said the structure was still under construction and would take some more time to be completed. “We will take possession as soon as the work is over. After that we will go for auction of shops which are part of the BMC’s share,’’ Patra said.

The agreement was signed way back in 1998 and the BMC got a 35 per cent share of the built-up area. As per the agreement, the civic body will get at least 21,000 sq feet area. The builder, who has developed the property, will get 65 per cent of the built-up area, Patra added.

Meira Swain, a visitor to the partially-opened mall, said the construction should be completed quickly so that people can get whatever commodities they wanted.

A shop-owner from a nearby market said: “With BMC’s open auction, the shops would become too costly for us to purchase. Even middle-level businessman will find it difficult to buy a shop here.”

“The Municipal corporation has maintained transparency in all its transactions while executing the project. So, the open tender to sell the properties is the best option for us,’’ said an engineer in charge of the work.