SJDA issues notice to Bidhan Market traders' body for demolition of 'illegal structure'

Darjeeling: The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) has issued a notice to the Bidhan Market Byabsahi Samity (BMBS) to dismantle the "illegal structure" that is under construction in the Bidhan Market in Siliguri within 72 hours, failing which they will face legal action.

The notice comes in the wake of state Tourism minister Goutam Deb visiting the market on Saturday, when he found out that a two-storey concrete structure was being built in the area where 7 shops had been gutted in a fire in June.

Instead of rebuilding the 7 shops that had been gutted, the new structure was being

built to accommodate 22 shops in the ground floor and an open hall like structure on the first floor.

Dubbing it as an "illegal" structure being built by a section of traders on SJDA land, the minister had threatened to demolish it. The BMBS had then staged a demonstration and blocked the busy Bidhan Road.

"I am sending a report to the Chief Minister about the illegal building," stated Deb.