The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Kolkata Police continued their demolition drive under the state government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against unauthorised infrastructure, this time targeting the southern part of the city. In the latest ‘bulldozer action’, civic authorities demolished a set of controversial public statues near the Garia crematorium. This follows the earlier removal of an illegally constructed clock tower in the same area.
Demolition Under Court Order
The demolition in Garia, carried out under a court order, focused on several objectionable child statues placed directly adjacent to a public toilet. The installations—one depicting a child in a squatting posture and another showing a naked child bathing—had long sparked local outrage due to their inappropriate placement. Residents had complained about the lack of aesthetic sense and the offensive nature of the statues, which were seen as degrading.
Political War of Words
The action ignited a fierce political war of words over the aesthetic and financial decisions of the previous regime. State cabinet minister Agnimitra Paul, pointing to the controversial setup, stated, “I have seen the pictures of the statues. What can you expect from Trinamool? They have no taste. Such statues of children next to a toilet are of very poor taste. They spent lakhs on this.” Joining the criticism, veteran CPM leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya added, “This is a vulgar display by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her govt.” The Trinamool Congress has issued no response in this matter yet.
Anti-Encroachment Drive in Central Kolkata
In another anti-encroachment drive reported from the centre of the city, pedestrians got some relief at Chandni Chowk after the police requested hawkers to remove their stalls and wares along Chandni Chowk Street on Wednesday morning. The request received a measured response. The hawkers were encroaching on the pavements as well as the carriageway, thereby causing inconvenience to pedestrians and bikers for a long time. “Though we requested hawkers to remove their wares, the main drive is yet to start. We plan drives at Ezra Street and Rabindra Sarani before coming back to Chandni Chowk,” said a cop from the traffic unit. Sources said that around 200-odd hawkers were approached and only a few removed their wares voluntarily.
The KMC and police have vowed to continue such drives to clear unauthorised structures and encroachments across the city, ensuring better public space and adherence to legal norms.
