Kolkata Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday asserted that footpaths are exclusively for pedestrians and cannot be occupied by encroachers. Speaking at an event marking 12 years of the Narendra Modi government at a convention center in New Town, he emphasized that public interest will always take precedence over the interests of a minority group.
Adhikari stated, “People have the right to walk on pavements, and no one has the authority to forcibly encroach upon them. Neither the law nor voters have given me the right to allocate a pavement to anyone. I am accountable to the people, and the interests of the larger section will always be prioritized over a small group.”
Hawker Encroachments Targeted
The Chief Minister criticized hawkers occupying roads, particularly in areas like New Market, where he noted that even motorcycles struggle to move. “We will not allow hawkers to occupy roads near New Market, Rajabazar, Kidderpore, or Metiabruz,” he added.
Adhikari clarified that the government would adopt a humanitarian approach for hawkers squatting on vacant government land. “They can relocate to places with excess unused land or non-functional markets. The state government will gradually introduce schemes for hawkers. The Union labor department already has schemes for them,” he said.
Anti-Encroachment Drives
After the formation of the new BJP government, Adhikari’s administration has launched major anti-encroachment drives in crowded transit hubs, including Howrah station and Jadavpur. Traders in Gariahat and Hatibagan have also complained that hawker stalls block their shop visibility and signboards, hampering business.
Traders at New Market welcomed the Chief Minister’s announcement. Ashraf Ali, joint secretary of the SS Hogg Market Traders Association, said, “For 12 years, traders have been protesting against illegal encroachment that has throttled the market. Hearing the CM speak about New Market and declaring road encroachment illegal is welcome, and we hope for swift action.”
Association secretary Uday Kumar Shaoo noted that he had highlighted traders’ difficulties in a congratulatory message to the Chief Minister on May 19. “From his remarks, it seems the CM has taken cognizance of the letter. Clearing encroachment will revive the 150-year-old market, which should be Kolkata’s pride,” he said.
Hawker Body Supports Action
Shaktiman Ghosh, chief of the Hawker Sangram Committee, endorsed the CM’s views, stating that his organization does not consider road encroachers as genuine hawkers. “We will not object to drives clearing encroachments from roads and parking spaces. But we will stand by genuine hawkers,” he said.
