Tension ran high outside the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters today as hundreds of property owners, under the banner of ‘Ame Bhubaneswaria’, staged a massive gherao and satyagraha.
The protest erupted following the issuance of sealing notices to approximately 5,000 residential buildings for allegedly carrying out unauthorised commercial activities.
Protesters expressed outrage over the sudden timing of the notices—issued right in the middle of Durga Puja celebrations—and accused the civic body of reneging on ministerial assurances.
Livelihoods of Over 1.5 Lakh People at Stake
Addressing the media during the demonstration, Basudev Bhatta, President of ‘Ame Bhubaneswaria’, highlighted the catastrophic economic impact the move could have on the city’s ecosystem.
“We have repeatedly met with the BMC Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary, local MLAs, MPs, and Ministers to raise our concerns. The Minister had explicitly assured us that no sealing notices or enforcement action would be taken until the state government reached a final decision. Yet, thousands of notices were served suddenly during the festive period,” said Bhatta.
The organisation warned that forced closures could bring local businesses to a grinding halt, directly threatening the livelihoods of 1 to 1.5 lakh individuals dependent on these establishments.
Key Demands & Highlights:
- Immediate withdrawal of all 5,000 sealing notices.
- Protection of small businesses and local employment.
- Adherence to government assurances prior to further action.
Supreme Court Directives vs. Public Panic
The BMC’s action stems from earlier Supreme Court directives prohibiting commercial operations within buildings strictly approved for residential purposes. Following the apex court order, the municipal body conducted a comprehensive survey across the capital, identifying thousands of non-compliant properties and subsequently issuing notices and sealing select premises.
However, the aggressive enforcement drive has created widespread panic among property owners and small business operators across Bhubaneswar. Protesters emphasised that while they respect legal frameworks, public convenience and economic survival must be balanced before taking extreme steps.
With the satyagraha underway outside the BMC headquarters, all eyes are now on the state government and civic administration to see whether a policy intervention or temporary relief will be offered in the coming days.
