Post News Network
Cuttack, March 19: In a major relief to traders of Malgodown here, the Orissa High Court Thursday granted interim stay on an eviction notice served on them by East Coast Railway (ECoR).
While fixing the next date of hearing after two weeks, the HC served notices on the state government, Railways and the Cuttack collector in this regard.
Earlier, traders operating in the sprawling trade centre spread over 25 acres were served notices by ECoR to vacate the area by March 31 in order to facilitate the expansion of the Cuttack railway station. Malgodown area, considered a lifeline for traders from many parts of the state, has shops built on encroached land of which 80 per cent belongs to the Railways and 20 per cent to Ravenshaw University. Though the 99-year lease agreement with the traders expired in 1985-86, the traders were allowed to continue with their businesses.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during his stint as Railway minister, had given the go-ahead to the eviction in order to bring encroached land back into the possession of the Railways, but the order could not be implemented. Railway authorities justified the move to serve the eviction notice, saying it was necessary in view of the ongoing railway expansion work.
At least 5,000 labourers, including trolley rickshaw pullers and truckers, depend on the wholesale hub housing over 200 shops and commercial establishments in the area.
Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab had raised the issue in Lok Sabha Wednesday and demanded that the decision of the Railways be put on hold since the issue involved the livelihood of hundreds of people dependent on the bustling business hub.
