Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal Corporation and cops will conduct a joint drive to reclaim the encroached carriageways and pavements in and around New Market. The drive that was started by cops from New Market Police Station following a deputation by S S Hogg Market Traders’ Association will last for a week and the KMC car parking department might pitch in to reclaim the lost parking space on Bertram Street, Humayun Place and Lindsay Street, said a member of the traders’ body.On Saturday, the cops conducted a surprise drive and removed hawkers from some pavements on Bertram Street and Lindsay Street. Hawkers were asked to remove their wares from New Market entry gates to give the shoppers free passage. The gate at the intersection of Bertram Street and Humayun Place was made free of encroachment. A section of hawkers was perplexed and couldn’t decide what to do as the cops started removing their wares from pavements. On Sunday, the cops targeted hawkers who had been illegally occupying pavements on Corporation Street, especially near the confectionery corner.However, though no drive was conducted by the cops or KMC on Monday, a few hawkers managed to get back to their earlier position fearing coercive action.Though a section of traders expressed happiness over the cop action, others were sceptical about the sustainability of such drives. “We welcome the move by the cops. But from our past experiences we have doubts whether the drive is going to last long. We expect the cops to keep tabs on fresh encroachment,” said a New Market trader.According to SS Hogg Market Traders Association president Ashok Gupta, the cops and KMC would need to keep a close vigil on fresh encroachment in the run-up to the festive season. “Every time cops take action, our hopes rise high of seeing encroachment-free carriageways and pavements around New Market. But we fail to understand what happens afterwards as the encroachment is back as usual within a specified time. This time we hope the drive will be sustained,” said Gupta.
