Kolkata: The streets around New Market appeared to have turned back time as roads and pavements were free of encroachment after nearly two decades. Shoppers were pleasantly surprised by the dramatic turnaround, but shopkeepers remain cautious.
Eviction Drive and Security Measures
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) conducted a hawker eviction drive on Fenwick Bazaar Street and Dutta Lane on Saturday, a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari highlighted the encroachment issue. On Monday, the absence of hawkers on Chowringhee Place, Hogg Street, and Bertram Street was attributed to security reasons, as the CM had a programme at the civic headquarters overlooking New Market.
Sources revealed that even before the CM's stern warning, police had already informed hawkers to vacate the roads within a month and streamline stalls on pavements to ensure pedestrian space.
Traders Welcome the Change
New Market traders, who have long complained about encroachment of parking lots and carriageways impacting business, welcomed the change. Ashraf Ali, joint secretary of the SS Hogg Market Traders' Association, said, "On Monday, hawkers were nowhere to be seen on Bertram Street and Hogg Street. The road appeared wide. Motorists drove easily without fear of hitting pedestrians or hawkers. Parking was ample."
Future Plans
Civic officials stated that while hawkers might return on Tuesday, a permanent drive to clear roads will follow, as CM Adhikari firmly stated on Friday. The local administration made a public announcement near Behala Market, asking hawkers to voluntarily remove their wares. However, no eviction date has been fixed yet. Traffic police have initiated measures to remove illegal parking in the vicinity.
