Firhad Hakim seeks police help to remove illegal hawkers from Kalighat temple area

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has urged police intervention to address the growing problem of illegal hawkers around the iconic Kalighat Temple. The Mayor admitted that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) lacks the authority to control hawker encroachment effectively.

This call for action comes nearly three decades after Operation Sunshine, a landmark hawker eviction drive carried out in 1996. Earlier this year in June, the city witnessed a fresh series of raids targeting hawking hubs such as Gariahat, Hatibagan, and New Market, aimed at clearing encroachments from roads and pavements. These drives were conducted by police in collaboration with civic staff, freeing up significant portions of carriageways and pedestrian paths.

Zones like Bhowanipore, Behala, and Sealdah also saw coordinated efforts to reclaim public spaces. In a notable raid near Jadubabur Bazar, police managed to declutter the heavily congested Paddapukur Road, which is typically clogged with hawkers, two-wheelers, and rickshaws. Local shopkeepers were stunned at the transformation. “We have not seen Paddapukur Road so wide before. Almost one-third of the road is usually taken up by hawkers,” remarked a shop owner.

Despite these initiatives, the area around Kalighat Temple remains a persistent challenge due to its dense footfall and religious significance. The hawker encroachment not only hampers pedestrian movement but also poses safety and cleanliness concerns for visitors and devotees.