Bhubaneswar, July 15: While traders in Puri are expecting to do brisk business during the rath yatra, traditional craftsmen of Pipili are ruing their luck.

A bypass, which was constructed two years ago between Bhubaneswar and Puri to reduce the traffic jam on the main road, has badly affected the business of Pipili traders, especially during rath yatra when a large number of people visit Puri.

This year being the Nabakalebar, around 30 lakh people are expected to visit the temple town. Tourists are also going to take the new route instead of going through the market place.

"This year is going to be quite profitable for businessmen settled in and around Puri but not for us. People would prefer to take the bypass and in the process we would lose customers," said Khetra Mohan Mohapatra, a traditional artisan who is into the business of selling appliqué works for 20 years.

"We faced a similar situation last year as well. Our business has gone down by almost 80 per cent. We have spoken to the local authorities and have appealed to them to take some steps to solve the problem," said Ramesh Mohapatra, secretary of Pipili Bazar Byabasayee Sangha.

The state government is coming up with a market complex near the bypass where traditional traders will be allotted space to sell their products. The centre will also provide facilities such as parking lot, restrooms, petrol pump and a garage.

"Through this project, we have tried to link tourism with handloom. It will not only help popularise the various fabrics and the weavers from the state, but also attract more tourists," said textile department joint secretary Raja Parija. A one-acre plot has been earmarked for the project.

The traders at Pipili, however, are apprehensive about shifting. "The new spot is not safe, as it is far away from our houses. So, it will be difficult to travel everyday. And this will also take a lot of time. We want a temporary solution for the rath yatra," said Ashok Agrawal, president of the market union.

The government is taking steps to ensure that tourist buses ply though the Pipili route. "We will make sure buses take the route at least once, either while on its way to the town or during its return. We will make it functional before rath yatra," said Parija.