Post News Network
Cuttack, July 14: The Orissa High Court (HC) Tuesday issued a blanket ban on opening makeshift vending stalls along the Grand Road in Puri to mark the upcoming Rath Yatra beginning July 18.
A division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Hiralal Waghela and justice Biswanath Rath directed the state government not to allow vending stalls along the Grand Road stretch from the Srimandir to Gundicha temple. The bench, however, advised the government to make alternative arrangements so that the devotees get their desired commodities without being inconvenienced.
The Puri civic body had floated tenders for opening of vending outlets on the Grand Road during the Yatra. Jogendra Nayak and others had filed a few petitions in the HC challenging anomalies in the tender issuance process.
The HC had directed the civic body to file a report on the issue. The civic body was directed to clarify whether the vending stalls along the Grand Road will create problems for the smooth conduct of the festival.
On the other hand, the Puri district administration has written to the civic body against allowing vendors to open stalls on the Grand Road.
The court also imposed restrictions on opening stalls by taking into account the contention of the Puri district administration.
