Puri: Hundreds of shopkeepers, who were evicted from Badadanda last year ahead of the Shree Mandir Parikrama Project‘s inauguration, have announced a three-day hunger strike from Wednesday in protest against the administration’s failure to provide suitable alternative locations and compensation. The protest comes after 1,208 shopkeepers were displaced 14 months ago, with promised relocations within two months remaining unfulfilled. The administration’s monthly compensation of Rs 15,000 per shopkeeper was abruptly halted last August, escalating tensions among the affected business community.
“The proposed relocation site under the Shree Setu bridge is commercially unviable due to minimal tourist footfall and inadequate space,” said Siba sahoo, a representative of the shopkeepers at a press conference.
The protesters had already been demonstrating on Grand Road for the past 72 days.
Multiple business groups, including the Badabazar, Dinbandhu, Balagandi and Radhakrishna Associations, have united in opposing the Shree Setu relocation plan.
However, municipality executive officer Abhimanyu Behera said the vending zone is ready for occupation. “We have disbursed Rs 50,000 each to over 600 vendors who have agreed to relocate under the Shrisetu Bridge,” Behera told reporters. “The vending zone will be operational within a few days.”