HYDERABAD : The smoke over the ill-fated Pushpanjali complex in Koti is yet to clear.

Even as the stalemate over the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad's diktat to shop owners to bear the cost of repairs being done by the corporation continues, the fate of businesses that were running in the complex, part of which was gutted on February 5, remains to be in haze.

Shop owners, who had their trade in shops that were not burnt, but those situated right behind or near to the portions that were damaged, are busy cleaning the soot from their stocks.

With the complex remaining to be cordoned off to the public, there is no transaction in the entire building, or that is what the shop owners claim.

Losses up

"They should take a decision fast. Otherwise, our losses are increasing by the day," laments one trader.

"At least those shops and offices which were not damaged should be allowed to function," he adds. Shops like the Raymonds dealer on the ground floor, adjoining the corners which have been gutted, are said to be suffering losses of at least Rs.60,000 and more every day. Inside the complex, a few traders have finished the job of removing their belongings fearing evacuation in case of a demolition order, and now sit idle.

"There has been no concrete decision taken so far. We are not sure whether the portion housing our shops will be demolished. And unless that is made clear, how can we move out and set up shop somewhere else?" asks one, adding that some of the traders who have rented shops in the complex are opening shop elsewhere in the city.

Any decision on demolition will be taken only after the technical committee gives its word.

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