The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), in collaboration with Kolkata Police and the Town Vending Committee (TVC), is gearing up for a major anti-encroachment drive around the bustling New Market area.
After the Poila Baisakh festivities, authorities will focus on clearing the carriageways of illegal hawker stalls and encroachments, which have been a long-standing issue in the area. A KMC official confirmed the planned initiative, noting that the authorities have devised a comprehensive strategy to address the encroachment problem that has plagued the New Market region for years. “We have a well-coordinated plan in place to ensure that the carriageways around New Market are cleared of encroachments,” the official said. “The right time to initiate the drive will be after the celebrations for Poila Baisakh have concluded.”
This drive marks a shift in approach from previous efforts, as the Town Vending Committee (TVC) will now involve the solid waste management (SWM) department in its operations. The SWM department’s Halla Brigade, which played a key role in managing encroachments in the past, will be brought back into action. The Brigade’s involvement is seen as a necessary measure to effectively remove hawker stalls from the public spaces. Over the years, New Market has transformed into a hub for street vendors, with hawkers occupying much of the public space, leading to congestion and difficulties for pedestrians. KMC officials emphasized that the encroachments were not just an eyesore but also a safety hazard, obstructing traffic and creating unhealthy conditions for the public.
“We’ve seen how effective the Halla Brigade was more than a decade ago when they successfully kept the New Market area free from encroachments,” said an expert from KMC’s solid waste management department. “It is time to revive this initiative, especially as the situation has worsened in recent years.” The SWM department’s Halla Brigade, originally established to tackle hawker-related issues in Kolkata, was disbanded some time ago. However, officials indicated that the brigade would be reformed specifically for this drive. “We’re awaiting formal instructions from the top administration before we roll out the plan,” a KMC official added. The team will be stationed at strategic points around New Market to prevent hawkers from returning to these locations.
While the KMC has repeatedly called for hawkers to vacate the carriageways, these appeals have largely gone unheeded. Many vendors continue to operate illegally, leading to the KMC’s decision to launch a more robust, coordinated effort to clear the area. According to officials, if the hawkers fail to comply with the removal orders, the authorities will have no choice but to take stronger enforcement actions. Sources within KMC have also suggested that some hawker union leaders, who are members of the TVC, have been briefed about the impending drive. They have been asked to prepare for the operation and, if necessary, issue a week-long deadline to vendors to vacate the carriageways. This proactive approach is aimed at avoiding potential clashes between the authorities and hawkers, which have marred previous drives.
In a related development, the SS Hogg Market Traders Association has expressed dissatisfaction with previous anti-encroachment efforts. The association, which represents a section of the traders in the region, has voiced concerns about the temporary nature of such drives. “Every time there is an anti-encroachment drive, hawkers are cleared out, but they return almost immediately after the authorities leave,” said a spokesperson from the association. “The effectiveness of these drives is under question, and unless the authorities come up with a more permanent solution, the issue will remain unresolved.” The association has even threatened to stage a protest if the encroachments are not addressed more effectively. “If the authorities fail to take decisive action, we will be forced to go on strike,” the spokesperson added. “We cannot continue to operate in these conditions, and the constant encroachments only make our business difficult.”
Despite these concerns, the KMC remains determined to follow through with the drive. Civic officials noted that, this time, they intend to employ a more comprehensive strategy that not only focuses on the immediate removal of hawkers but also on long-term enforcement to prevent further encroachments. “We are committed to maintaining public order in this area and ensuring that New Market remains a safe, accessible place for both traders and customers,” the official stated. The issue of hawker encroachment around New Market is emblematic of a larger challenge faced by cities across India, where growing urbanisation and limited public space often lead to tensions between street vendors and civic authorities. In Kolkata, where New Market is one of the city’s oldest and most iconic shopping districts, striking a balance between supporting small vendors and maintaining public order has been an ongoing struggle.
As authorities prepare for the upcoming anti-encroachment drive, residents and traders alike are watching closely. The outcome of this effort will likely have broader implications for how Kolkata manages urban space, balancing the needs of street vendors with those of the general public.
KMC Set to Launch Anti-Encroachment Drive Near New Market After Poila Baisakh