Bhubaneswar Unit-I Haat Traders Extend Market Closure Till Oct 3 Over Civic Neglect

Bhubaneswar: Traders at Unit-I Haat in Bhubaneswar, have taken the decision to shut down the market until October 3, Tuesday, in an effort to highlight their various demands.

The traders had already refrained from opening their shops on September 28 and 29 as a protest against the perceived neglect by civic authorities in addressing their concerns.

Their primary requests included the provision of parking facilities, proper drainage systems, and other essential amenities for the haat, which is one of Odisha’s largest wholesale and retail markets. Additionally, they had called for the removal of encroachments from the market area.

The decision to extend the market closure until October 3 came after the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to meet their demands. Despite being a vital hub for thousands of customers and retailers daily, the Unit-I Haat still lacks adequate parking and drainage facilities. This market is situated in the heart of the capital city.

Furthermore, the recent ban on on-street parking near the market has compounded the inconvenience for customers. The police have been imposing significant penalties on those who park their vehicles on the roads in the vicinity.

Bishnu Charan Sahu, Secretary of the Unit-I Haat Traders’ Association, expressed their frustration, saying, “Unit-I Haat accommodates around 15,000 traders, with thousands of people visiting from across the capital city and nearby areas to purchase various commodities. Regrettably, the market still lacks basic facilities such as a parking lot, drainage, drinking water, and toilets. We have raised this issue with the BMC repeatedly, but no action has been taken.”