Festival over, fresh drive against New Mkt hawkers by weekend
Times of India | 17 April 2025
Kolkata: KMC, police and the Town Vending Committee will launch a fresh drive to remove hawker encroachments in and around New Market by the weekend. Similar drives will also be conducted at other hawking hubs in the city. The decision was taken at a TVC meeting at the KMC headquarters on Wednesday.
TOI had earlier reported on a civic plan to undertake a hawker pushback drive post Poila Baisakh.
TVC co-chairman Debasish Kumar, also a KMC MMiC, ruled out an appeal from a hawker union to consider the rehabilitation of a section of hawkers before the drive. "We gave ample time to hawkers to shift to an authorised spot. Instead of heeding to the appeal, new hawkers have encroached on more portions of roads. We kept the drive on hold before the festivals but now, it's time to ensure discipline and ensure hawkers adhere to vending rules," said Kumar.
Unlike earlier anti-encroachment drives, the TVC this time may rope in the KMC solid waste management department's ‘Halla Brigade'.
Debasish Das, a hawker union leader and a TVC member, also contested a hawkers' union's suggestion to grant some breather for vendors. "As a TVC member, I can't accept suggestions from a union that will break the vending rules," said Das.
Ashraf Ali, a joint secretary of SS Hogg Market Traders' Association, welcomed the decision. But he said the drive should be carried out in an effective manner. "Drives have happened in the morning and hawkers have returned by evening. Hope it will be different this time. If not, we will take to the streets," Ali said.