The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has taken a significant step to address the issue of hawking around the heritage New Market area by issuing eviction notices to unauthorized vendors near the Oberoi Grand Hotel. The notices give hawkers one month to remove all illegal stalls and dalas from the vicinity.
Background of the Issue
For years, traders in the area have complained about rampant encroachment of pavements and roads by hawkers. The situation has worsened to the point where parking lots at Humayun Place and Bertram Street have been taken over by vendors, deterring affluent shoppers from visiting the market.
Details of the Eviction Notice
The eviction notice, dated May 23, warns that all unauthorized dalas, temporary stalls, and structures near Metro Esplanade station gate 6 (in front of Peerless Inn) and the Grand Hotel area must be removed within one month. The notice states: "All persons concerned are directed to vacate and remove their materials, goods and structures voluntarily within the given period. After completion of the notice period, the authority will conduct a demolition/removal drive against all unauthorised occupations without any further notice. Any expenses incurred during the removal process may be recovered from the person/occupier concerned."
Reason for the Delay
A civic official explained that the hawker vending committee had decided to remove all unauthorized structures from the KMC headquarters area and the adjacent New Market zone. However, the model code of conduct for the assembly elections forced a postponement of anti-eviction drives. Now that the code is no longer in effect, the KMC is free to proceed with clearing the area.
Planned Drive
Sources at the KMC headquarters indicated that the drive will begin from Grand Arcade and then move to Humayun Place, Bertram Street, Lindsay Street, and Mirza Ghalib Street. A KMC official emphasized that hawkers who comply with hawking rules will not be evicted, but those operating illegally will receive notices before eviction.
Hawkers' Response
Hawkers near Metro gate 6, Grand Arcade, Bertram Street, Humayun Place, and Chowringhee Place around the Grand Hotel claimed they had no knowledge of the notice. Many expressed confidence that they would not be evicted, citing their allegiance to union leader Kali Khatik, who switched to the BJP a few years ago.
Traders' Reaction
Ashok Gupta, president of the SS Hogg Market Traders Association, welcomed the move but noted that the hawker situation has worsened since the elections, with multiple rows of hawkers occupying Humayun Place and Bertram Street. He stated, "We have already reached out to minister Dilip Ghosh and MLA Sajal Ghosh. We also intend to meet chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and minister Agnimitra Paul to draw their attention to the rampant illegal encroachment."
