Guwahati: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) carried out an eviction drive in the Khanapara area on Sunday to clear illegal encroachments and improve traffic flow ahead of the chief minister's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday. The operation focused on the Khanapara Veterinary Field stretch, a critical route connecting the National Highway to the main city.
Removal of Food Carts and Structures
During the drive, several food carts and temporary roadside structures that had occupied significant portions of roads and pavements in key areas were removed. GMC officials stated that the primary objective was to widen roads and ensure smooth vehicular movement, as a large gathering is expected during the ceremony.
"Many of the carts had been stationed along busy roadside stretches for a long time, contributing to congestion and causing obstruction for both pedestrians and commuters. The drive has been conducted by GMC's enforcement branch," said Munindra Mahanta, GMC's enforcement officer.
Additional Clearance in Panjabari
Mahanta further mentioned that another clearance operation had been carried out in the Panjabari area. "The route is expected to be used for the movement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will attend the ceremony. The roadside food carts were cleared to avoid bottlenecks and strengthen security arrangements," he added.
Previous Eviction in Bhangagarh
Earlier, on Thursday, the civic body conducted an eviction drive in the Bhangagarh area. Officials said the encroachments were cleared because they were obstructing traffic flow and affecting pedestrian safety, particularly near Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. The road also connects to the Guwahati–Shillong (GS) Road, which has been designated as the primary route accessible to the public on the day of the swearing-in ceremony, as announced earlier on Saturday by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
These measures are part of broader efforts to ensure smooth traffic management and security during the high-profile event.
