Hawkers back in central Kolkata, hit pedestrians, shop owners, and traffic flow
Times of India | 16 December 2024
123 Kolkata: Encroachers have once again gripped the central business district, with hawkers usurping pavements and spilling onto carriageways in bustling hubs such as Burrabazar, Brabourne Road, College Street, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, and Dalhousie.
Traditional shopping hubs like Gariahat, Hatibagan, and New Market, alongside business districts like Canning Street, Chandni Chowk, and Dalhousie, briefly witnessed some respite from encroachments. However, it proved to be short-lived as some of these pockets are now witnessing a return of unregulated hawkers.
The return of encroachers, who were pushed back by the administration in a rigorous eviction drive after a stern directive by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians, losses to shop owners, and traffic congestion.
‘Hawkers have reclaimed all the spots from where they were pushed back a few months ago. In some places, they have claimed more space than they were already encroaching at the time of being evicted," said an officer of Burrabazar police station.
In areas like Brabourne Road and NS Road, entire pavements are now obstructed by makeshift stalls covered in plastic sheets. Jamunalal Bajaj Street off Mahatma Gandhi Road and parts of College Street have similarly reverted to their pre-eviction states, with hawkers taking over pavements and portions of carriageways.
"We were removed without any option of rehabilitation. We returned once we received the go-ahead from our union. We are doing our best not to disturb local traders and pedestrians while doing our business," said Ganpat Shaw, a hawker selling plastic wares on a pavement on Kalakar Street.
The encroachment not only hinders pedestrian movement but also forces people onto busy roads, posing significant safety risks. For instance, Brabourne Road has become dangerous for pedestrians. Hawkers have set up shop on the pavement and, in many cases, on portions of the carriageway itself. Commuters now dodge oncoming traffic as they navigate these dangerous stretches.
"Clearing these areas requires consistent enforcement, but hawkers often return within days of an eviction drive. A mix of socio-economic factors, political patronage, and lack of alternative spaces for hawkers have complicated the issue," said a civic official.
Shariq Rahman, a shop owner on Canning Street, expressed his frustration. "We are losing business because customers can't reach us. The streets are clogged, and the pavements are gone."
A commuter on Ganesh Chandra Avenue lamented: "It is dangerous for everyone. Many vendors prepare food in ovens right on the pavements. Vehicles are parked randomly, blocking our way."
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