Hawkers reclaim Canning St stretch day after police drive
Times of India | 26 August 2026
Kolkata: Police cleared encroachments from Amartolla Street in the Canning Street area on Monday evening, but hawkers and shopkeepers had reclaimed much of the space by Tuesday morning.
Police removed hawkers selling wares on the carriageway and asked shopkeepers to move goods displayed outside into their shops. By Tuesday morning, some had again placed goods outside, while several hawkers had returned with smaller stalls.
“Earlier, my stall was taking up a lot of space, but I have reduced the size. I will not disturb anybody,” said a hawker.
A mat and carpet shopkeeper said, “On Monday, we removed our goods because the cops told us to. Today, we have kept only a small part of the stock outside. There is not enough space inside the shop.”
Amartolla Street connects Canning Street with Mahatma Gandhi Road and runs through the congested commercial pocket.
A Bagri Market shop owner said, “Encroachment is a huge issue in the entire area. Many traders who pay all their taxes are unable to conduct business because the fronts of their shops are encroached upon.”
A Burrabazar police officer said, “The entire stretch was taken over by hawkers and shopkeepers dumping goods on the carriageway. We have instructions to gradually free up the space. Monday’s drive was a part of that.”