Vendors protest against eviction drive near Bhubaneswar railway station

Bhubaneswar: Vendors on Thursday staged protest near Bhubaneswar railway station after an eviction drive was carried out in the area.

Twenty-three polythene and bamboo-shed shops, 28 fast-food counters on trolleys and 32 mobile-vending shops selling fruits and other items were demolished despite heavy opposition by their owners, reported PTI.

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The protest was staged near the eviction site over loss of livelihood.

The eviction drive was conducted by the Bhubaneswar Smart City Ltd (BSCL), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the police departement.

The eviction was carried out for implementation of the Smart Janpath Project as the cleared space would be used for setting up cycling tracks, poles for pedestrian lighting, and a buffer zone for plantations and sitting arrangements, said a release by the city municipal corporation.