Rourkela, June 29: Running of several commercial establishments from residential colonies in violation of Rourkela Development Authority (RDA) norms here has affected the business of traders at various market complexes of the city, a report said.
It is high time shops running from residential zones were banned otherwise they would have to down their shutters soon, said a trader of RDA Market Complex.
Functioning of shops in housing zones not only affects the daily life of residents, it leads to overcrowding in the area as well. While RDA has not initiated any action against the illegality, it has no record as to how many houses have been constructed without plan approval, it was learnt.
It may be recalled that then additional district magistrate V Kartikeyan Pandian demolished illegal shops that mushroomed in residential zone of Chhend Colony. Similar action can be taken in case of extended shop rooms at Basanti Colony also, locals argued.
According to reports, RDA had allotted 2,532 houses to beneficiaries in Basanti Colony and Chhend Colony under a housing scheme several years back.
In the first phase, 92 families were allotted houses under Economic Weaker Section (EWS) and 138 under Lower Income Group (LIG) on the foothill of Durgapur.
In the second phase, 54 EWS, 166 LIG and 110 MIG (Medium Income Group) houses were allotted. These houses come under Basanti Colony.
In Chhend Colony, 410 houses in the first phase, 1,048 in second phase and 514 houses in third phase were allotted under Gopabandhu Nagar Housing Scheme.
Though Basanti Colony has just over 300 houses, there are more than a 100 shops functioning inside the colony which affects the business of traders in nearby two market complexes set up by RDA. Most of the traders of these malls don’t get customers as they prefer visiting small shops in the colony.
Commercial establishments in housing areas are run under the patronage of local political groups and low-rung RDA officials, alleged residents of Basanti Colony. They demanded immediate closure of these shops in residential areas.
Commercial establishments be removed from the colony, demanded Gouri Shankar Prasad, a ration dealer of RDA Market Complex. Similarly, a cloth merchant Ugrasen Samantray, who hardly gets buyers in the market complex, sought legal action against people who have constructed shop rooms violating RDA norms.
When contacted over the issue, RDA chairperson and ADM Manisha Banerjee said she will look into the matter and take a decision accordingly. PNN