KOLKATA: A massive anti-encroachment drive was conducted outside Howrah railway station past midnight, with bulldozers dismantling rows of makeshift shops and illegal structures along the stretch from the Ganga ghat to the station premises, officials said on Sunday.
The operation was a joint effort by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), railway authorities, and Howrah City Police. Heavy security personnel were deployed across the area to prevent any untoward incidents during the eviction drive.
Using bulldozers and earthmovers, authorities removed several temporary stalls and structures that had occupied footpaths and public spaces near the bus stand and Ganga ghat area. This was part of a railway land clearance initiative aimed at improving passenger convenience at one of the busiest railway terminals in the country.
Although the Railways did not issue an official statement, officials described it as a routine cleanup exercise. They noted that encroachments in the area had caused severe congestion and inconvenience for passengers for years.
Visuals and Vendor Reactions
Visuals from the spot showed police barricading large sections of the locality while bulldozers razed roadside shops selling food items, plastic goods, and other daily-use articles. Several hawkers alleged they were not given adequate prior notice before the demolition drive and claimed the action had severely affected their livelihoods.
Some traders argued that many stalls had existed for decades and demanded rehabilitation or alternative vending arrangements from the authorities. One hawker stated, "There should be beautification and proper management, but poor vendors should also be rehabilitated." Another stall owner affected by the drive said, "We will have to resort to suicide if no rehabilitation is provided."
Tensions and Police Response
Eyewitnesses reported that tension briefly escalated when some vendors attempted to resist the eviction, leading to heated exchanges and pushing between protesters and police personnel. The situation was later brought under control, and police deployment in the locality continued on Sunday morning.
Authorities maintained that the drive was necessary to clear illegal occupation of railway land and improve pedestrian movement and security around the station area.
