Kolkata: A day after the streets around New Market had been cleared of encroachments, hawkers returned in large numbers on Tuesday to occupy roads and pavements in the area, marking a return to the previous situation.
Police Action During CM Visit
On Monday, police had kept the entire area, including Bertram Street, Hogg Street, and Chowringhee Place, free of hawkers due to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's visit to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) headquarters. On Friday, the CM had publicly criticized the takeover of roads and pavements by hawkers and identified New Market as one of the worst encroached areas in the city.
Hawkers Return Quickly
Although the New Market area was sanitized on Monday during Adhikari's visit to KMC, hawkers returned to occupy Bertram Street, Chowringhee Place, Humayun Place, and Hogg Street on Tuesday afternoon. By evening, there were up to five rows of hawkers along some stretches. Hawkers were also back on the pavement of Chowringhee near the Esplanade metro station's gate number 6.
Traders Express Disappointment
Traders at SS Hogg Market expressed disappointment at the short-lived relief. “On Monday, it felt like paradise. Motorists could drive through Bertram Street, Lindsay Street, and Humayun Place without trouble. Shoppers could easily find parking space. But come Tuesday afternoon, and the parking lots were again taken over by hawkers,” said SS Hogg Market Traders Association secretary Uday Shaoo.
KMC and Police Response
According to a KMC source, after the CM's tough talk on the encroachment of carriageways and pavements, the civic brass has asked the police to keep a vigil on the roads in and around the grade-I heritage market and conduct sporadic drives to remove illegal encroachments. “We have kept our eyes on all roads leading to New Market. A drive started from Fenwick Street. We have also conducted a pushback drive on Lindsay Street. Next, we will ask the hawkers of Bertram Street and Humayun Place to keep the carriageways encroachment-free,” said a KMC official.
Concerns Over Floating Hawkers
According to a Town Vending Committee member, besides new hawkers trying to encroach on the roads and pavements, there is reason for concern about the floating hawkers who have been selling their wares in the middle of the roads. “Though police are conducting raids from time to time to check rampant hawking by flying hawkers, we need to launch a comprehensive drive. We will give a deadline to the hawkers in the New Market area before launching a drive to remove the encroachments,” said a KMC official.
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