Kolkata: Traders of BC Roy Market, or more popularly Maidan Market, seemed resigned to fate 24 hours after the state govt pasted a notice asking them to shift to the temporary stalls to facilitate construction of Purple Line’s Esplanade station. But the committee formed by the traders held discussions till late on Friday. Spokespersons of the committee said they were yet to make a decision.On Thursday, a notice signed by a PWD assistant engineer, who is also the estate officer of BC Roy Market, directed the traders to shift to the nearby rows of temporary stalls by Aug 26. No one shifted out on Friday.Over the past one year, RVNL officials held several meetings with KMC, PWD, the custodian of Bidhan Market, and the traders – but the impasse lingered. Meanwhile, RVNL built temporary stalls in the vicinity – on Mounted Police Paddock grounds.Talking to TOI on Friday, one of the traders, Prasanta Gayen, said: “This is a govt project. I guess, we will have to shift as per the govt instructions.” Another stall owner, Mukhesh, nodded in agreement: “We have a committee of representatives who are handling the matter. Today, we were given our respective stall numbers. If the govt asks us to shift, there isn’t much one can do,” he said. Bishtu De (name changed on request) said: “The committee has forbidden us to speak to media. But everyone understands that we can’t go on defying govt orders.”Kishore Manglani, spokesperson of the traders’ association, said: “We are in a dilemma. Senior cops are telling us to shift. If PWD gives in writing that we will be returned to the original shops, we are spared from moving court.”On July 11, BC Roy Market issue was discussed at the meeting of the task force formed to fast-track long-pending railways and metro projects. There has been an air of optimism over metro projects now that the state and Centre are being run by the same govt. Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the 20-member task force when he came to inspect Orange Line’s Chingrighata site on June 6. Work had resumed here after 15 months – soon after new govt took charge in May.
