A market complex at Samanta Vihar in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, June 14: At least 19 shops of a market complex at Samanta Vihar near Kalinga Hospital Square are yet to be distributed among the prospective applicants.

The developer of the market complex being Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), their failure to distribute shops has raised questions on the efficiency of the officials concerned. Senior officials have hinted at the delay due to a court case filed by a traders’ association. However, occupants of some of the shops have alleged that the case was vacated since the past six months. But, no step was taken by the BDA to expedite the distribution process.

Consequently, a wing of the complex has been lying in neglect since 1998. Moreover, it has also become a criminals’ den during the evening hours. Garbage is found dumped along the corridor, as proper cleaning is not possible without distribution.

“The residential houses were distributed in 1996 and the shops in the B block were allotted in 1998. After that, some shops were allotted in the A block facing the Kalinga Hospital Square. But, in case of auction, the applicants have the fear to lose their deposits. Therefore, even if the shops are there without proper choice, the shopkeepers do not want to apply. The court case filed by the members of a nearby traders’ association was also responsible for the delay,” said a shopowner in the B block on condition of anonymity.

“When I got my shop in 1998, the area was full of weeds and thorny plants. I had to wait and could open it in 2001. The development process in the area suddenly took a momentum following development in Patia and several hospitals nearby. The upper portion of the complex has already been rented out to a computer company and I hope that the rest of the shops will be allotted soon,” he said.

Executive engineer of Division I (maintenance) of the BDA said: “Once the building’s construction is over, the engineering section has nothing to do with it. Therefore, the allotment staff can say something about delay in the process.”

Admitting that there were some problems regarding the distribution of shops at Samanta Vihar complex, BDA allotment officer Benudhar Behera said: “The problems are now over and there are 19 shops left in the market. We will notify for their auction very soon and I hope that it will be done within a fortnight.”

Many other markets, developed by the BDA in the past, have suffered apathy either due to administrative lacunae or non-cooperation from the traders’ bodies. Consequently, a huge loss to the exchequer has taken place. While the condition of Krushi Udyan Market near Rental Colony is in a shambles, the Kalyani Market in Unit VIII is also wallowing in neglect.