kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 29: The West Bengal government is preparing to launch a major drive to remove illegal hawkers from Kolkata's roads and footpaths in an effort to make public spaces safer and more accessible for pedestrians. State Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Dilip Ghosh, on Sunday announced that, following similar action around railway stations, illegal encroachments on footpaths and adjoining public spaces across Kolkata would soon be cleared through legal procedures.

Issuing a strong warning to those who have been operating businesses by illegally occupying public footpaths, as well as to those who allegedly encouraged such activities in the past, the minister said that railway stations and city footpaths are meant for public movement and not for commercial occupation.

Dilip Ghosh stated, "Whether it is a railway station or a footpath in Kolkata, neither is meant to be a place for business. Those who have illegally occupied public spaces should vacate voluntarily. Otherwise, the state government will take strict action in accordance with the law."

The minister said the proposed eviction drive is aimed at protecting the interests of tax-paying citizens, pedestrians and legally established shop owners. According to him, illegal encroachments have deprived pedestrians of their rightful access to public walkways despite paying taxes, while permanent shops that legally operate in these areas have also suffered because their entrances have been blocked by unauthorized vendors.

He further pointed out that widespread occupation of footpaths forces pedestrians to walk on busy roads, exposing them to significant risks. As a result, already congested roads in Kolkata become even more crowded, increasing traffic congestion as well as the likelihood of road accidents involving pedestrians.

The issue of footpath encroachment has remained a long-standing civic concern in Kolkata. Several important roads and intersections across North and South Kolkata have witnessed extensive occupation by hawkers for decades, leading to repeated complaints from residents regarding obstruction, inconvenience and public safety.

The minister, although disputes between pedestrians and hawkers and incidents of road accidents have occurred over the years, previous administrations failed to implement effective measures to permanently resolve the issue. The current government has now indicated that it intends to address the long-pending problem through legal eviction proceedings and administrative action.

Officials believe that the proposed drive will not only help restore public footpaths for pedestrians but also contribute to smoother traffic movement across the city by reducing roadside congestion. The government is expected to carry out the operation in phases while ensuring that legal procedures are followed and public order is maintained throughout the eviction process.

The announcement signals the beginning of what could become one of the most significant urban clearance initiatives undertaken in Kolkata in recent years, with the administration emphasising pedestrian safety, traffic management and the restoration of public spaces as its primary objectives.