Post News Network
Cuttack, March 9: Traders at Malgodown, one of the state’s biggest business centres, are an apprehensive lot as the trade centre has been served a notice by the East Coast Railway to vacate the area for expansion of its infrastructure.
Traders said relocation of the business establishments will have a huge impact on the city’s economy. According to sources, shops in the Malgodown area have encroached upon 80 per cent of Railways land and 20 per cent of Ravenshaw University land.
Sources said the traders were allowed to continue with their businesses despite
the trade centre’s 99-year lease expiring in 1985-86.
The eviction order was issued earlier too, but was withdrawn. Now with East Coast Railways serving a fresh notice, the worried traders’ association has urged the state government to identify an alternative destination with land or shops so that the transition would be easier.
The trade centre has over 200 shops and commercial establishments where at least 5,000 labourers including trolley-rickshaw pullers and truckers work.
The association members held talks with the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Khurda Road division to resolve the issue.
“The shifting of the trade centre, if it happens, will spell doom for countless traders,” said Naim Sheikh, a trader.
A trade association member said the association is contemplating a bandh if their demands of letting them continue doing business at the present location are not met. Officials of East Coast Railways refused to comment on the issue.
