Bhubaneswar: Street vendors across the city have intensified their protest opposing the eviction drives being carried out by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) as a part of the beautification drive for the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
On Sunday, amid the rain and cold weather, the vendors protested against the eviction team that reached wards 40, 56, 57, 58, 12, and 17 to remove them.
Bipin Das, vice-chairman of the Utkal Small Business and Vending Zone, said that it is unethical to carry out such a drive despite the assurance of BMC commissioner. “We met the commissioner who assured us that proper rehabilitation would be given before the eviction, but they are not adhering to their assurances. We will not tolerate such injustice,” Das said.
Various civil society organisations have also supported the vendors, citing that the small businessmen should not be targeted every time in the name of beautification and development.
Anjan Pradhan of Odisha Shramajeebee Manch said such activities of the administration are not only arbitrary but also unethical and should be stopped. “This is not at all the right way to undertake development. Thousands of street vendors are now on the verge of losing their livelihood. BMC should create proper space for them. This will not only organise the sector but also contribute to the city’s development,” Pradhan claimed.
Pratap Kumar Sahu, state president of the Odisha Roadside Vendors Mahasangha, said that thousands of them are running businesses with loans provided by banks. “However, due to BMC’s eviction drives, they may become bankrupt and resort to anti-social activities as they fail to repay bank loans, leading to their families’ ruin,” Sahu said.
The affected vendors are now planning to launch a protest in front of the chief minister’s residence. “If the BMC doesn’t stop its drive, more than 30,000 vendors will surround the CM’s residence on Dec 27,” Sahu said.
Mayor Sulochana Das said only the unauthorized vendors are being evicted. “This is part of our regular enforcement drive,” she said.
Bhubaneswar: Street vendors across the city have intensified their protest opposing the eviction drives being carried out by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) as part of the city beautification drive for the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2025.
On Sunday, amidst the drizzle and cold weather, the vendors stood strong against the eviction team that reached Wards No. 40, 56, 57, 58, 12, and 17 to remove the street vendors with the help of bulldozers.
Bipin Das, Vice Chairman of the Utkal Small Business and Vending Zone, said that it is absolutely unethical of the civic body officials to carry out such a drive despite the assurance of the BMC Commissioner. “We met the Commissioner who assured us that proper rehabilitation would be given before the eviction, but they are not adhering to their assurances. We will not tolerate such injustice,” Das said.
Various civil society organisations of the city have also come in support of the vendors, citing that the small-scale business holders should not be targeted every time in the name of beautification and development.
Anjan Pradhan of Odisha Shramajeebee Manch said that this is a question of losing livelihood and such activities of the administration are not only arbitrary but also unethical and should be stopped at once. “This is not at all the right way of development. Thousands of street vendors are now on the verge of losing their livelihood. The BMC should create proper space for them. This will not only organise the sector but also contribute to the city’s development,” Pradhan opined.
Pratap Kumar Sahu, the State President of the Odisha Roadside Vendors Mahasangha, said that thousands of vendors are running businesses with loans provided by banks. “However, due to the BMC’s eviction, they may become bankrupt and resort to anti-social activities as they fail to repay bank loans, leading to their families’ ruin,” Sahu said.
The affected vendors are now planning to launch their protest in front of the chief minister’s residence. “If the BMC doesn’t stop their illegal activity, more than 30,000 vendors will surround the Chief Minister’s residence on December 27,” Sahu said.
Mayor Sulochana Das, on the other hand, continues to reason that only the unauthorized vendors are being evicted. “This is part of our regular enforcement drive for the unauthorized vending,” she said.