In a unique feat of engineering, a market complex in Subarnapur district is being lifted from the ground and moved 500 meters without causing any damage. A Haryana-based company is executing the task, which will also raise the building’s height by at least three feet, sources said on Friday.

According to sources, a rare engineering manoeuvre is underway in the close vicinity of New Town Hall in Subarnapur, where an entire market complex is being lifted from its foundation and shifted 500 meters away. Positioned in front of the New Town Hall, the complex is being moved intact, without causing any structural damage.

Once relocated to the new place, the building will be reshaped into an L-formation to house 15 shops and will be elevated three feet from its current height.

The groundbreaking project is being undertaken by a Haryana-based company specialising in structural relocation. Over ten workers are involved in the work, which has been going on for the past month and is expected to continue for another month.

This kind of architectural relocation—moving a full building structure while maintaining its integrity—is extremely rare in Odisha and is being closely watched by engineers and urban planners across the State.

“Relocation work of the market complex was started a month ago and will continue for another month. Nine of the 15 shops are to be placed in an L-formation in alignment with the six other shops. Risk is certainly there in the task, but not for us people as we have the expertise,” a senior technician of the company, Sajjan Kumar, said when contacted.