Railway authorities carry out eviction drive in Kolkata's Park Circus station area
Kolkata, June 28
The railway authorities have conducted a significant eviction operation at the Park Circus station area in Kolkata, clearing illegal shops from land owned by the Indian Railways.
Earlier this month, the authorities issued notifications to the proprietors of these shops and local vendors, instructing them to vacate their shops from the station premises and the surrounding lands in the Sealdah South Section of Eastern Railway. However, due to their noncompliance, a bulldozer was deployed on Saturday night to demolish these shops.
A large number of police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed for this drive.
After the change of government in the state, the Railways have been conducting drives to evict encroachments in the station areas. Similar drives were held at several stations, including Howrah, Sealdah, Dum Dum, Jadavpur and Habra. This time, the drive was also launched at Park Circus station in Kolkata.
Late Saturday night, the Park Circus station premises were surrounded by railway police and the RAF. Security was tightened to prevent any unrest. First, the Railways used loudspeakers to announce instructions to vacate the station area and railway land. Some time was given to the traders to remove their belongings. However, none of the traders in the station area moved their goods. After that, a bulldozer was brought in, and the illegal shops were demolished one by one.
The Park Circus station area has always been congested. It is alleged that a large number of illegal shops had mushroomed at the station premises over the years. The Railways have never been able to evict illegal hawkers at that station, which is located in a minority community-dominated area. There were allegations that railway passengers used to face harassment and crimes at various times while travelling to that station.
After the BJP government came to power in the state, it was decided that illegal hawkers would be evicted from the station premises. The eviction drive lasted for about two and a half hours.
Meanwhile, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has also taken steps to remove illegal encroachments and shops under several flyovers across the city.
It was learnt that the KMC has issued notices to illegal hawkers to remove their shops from under the Sealdah flyover in North Kolkata and Sukanta Setu in the southern outskirts of the city. Those who have illegally encroached on spaces under these two bridges have been asked to move out within the next seven days. The KMC will take action in accordance with the provisions of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, as mentioned in the notice.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I understand the need to clear railway land, the manner of eviction—bulldozing at night with heavy police force—seems harsh. These are poor vendors who might have lost their only source of livelihood without adequate notice or rehabilitation. The government should balance development with compassion, especially in minority-dominated areas. 🤷♀️
Great move! The Park Circus area was a complete mess—illegal shops everywhere, making it impossible for passengers to even walk. Crime and harassment were common thanks to unchecked encroachment. The railways should have done this decades ago. Better late than never! 💪
I'm from the area and this was long overdue. But I worry about the petty traders who had no alternative livelihood. The railway and state government should collaborate on proper hawking zones nearby, like in other cities. Just bulldozing without planning is not a solution. Let's hear what the KMC has planned for rehabilitation. 🤔
Impressive that the authorities are finally acting on land belonging to the railways. In the US, we have strict enforcement of rail corridor rights-of-way for safety. India needs this consistency. But please ensure a humane approach for the displaced—dignity matters even in eviction. 🇮🇳
Sealdah South Section has been neglected for years. These hawkers made it impossible for commuters to get in/out of the station. I'm glad the administration is now serious. Just hoping this isn't a one-off operation before political visibility fades. Need sustained action across all stations. 🚉
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