Traders at Kolkata's historic New Market have escalated their fight against persistent hawker encroachment, taking their plea directly to the office of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The appeal was made during a significant business gathering this week, highlighting a growing crisis around the grade-1 heritage shopping district.
An Appeal to the Highest Office
The urgent request for intervention was presented at a business conclave organized by the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations. The event was held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the keynote speaker. The traders, represented by the SS Hogg Market Traders' Association, expressed deep frustration over the unchecked spread of illegal hawking, which is choking the market's periphery.
Ashok Gupta, president of the association, pointed out the stark contrast between official assurances and the ground reality. He stated that despite promises from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Kolkata Police to keep the streets around New Market free, the situation has deteriorated significantly. Gupta highlighted that while authorities allowed hawkers a temporary reprieve during the festive Durga Puja season, the encroachments have multiplied even months after the festivities ended.
"The encroachments have only been growing," Gupta emphasized, noting the severe impact on traffic and customer access. He specifically cited the illegal takeover of parking spaces on Bertram Street and Humayun Place, crucial areas for market visitors.
A Cycle of Enforcement and Relapse
A member of the town vending committee (TVC), speaking on Thursday, acknowledged the problem. He confirmed that in the absence of consistent police vigilance, hawkers have returned to the roads in large numbers. The scene becomes particularly chaotic in the late afternoon when sellers occupy the middle of key thoroughfares like Bertram Street, Humayun Place, and Hogg Street, with little to no police action to remove them.
However, the committee member also pointed to a period of success, underscoring that the problem is solvable with sustained effort. He recalled that a concerted drive by the KMC and police in June had yielded excellent results. Under constant police watch, hawkers did not dare to occupy road space. Unfortunately, this relief was short-lived. By July, the hawkers had reclaimed their spots on all the major streets surrounding New Market, returning the area to its previous congested state.
The Challenge of Regulating Vending
The issue presents a complex challenge for the town vending committee, which is tasked with regulating street vending. Saktiman Ghosh, chief of the Hawker Sangram Committee and also a TVC member, stressed the need for consistent enforcement. He argued that unless the police actively push back against errant sellers who flout the rules, the very purpose of issuing vending certificates to bona fide hawkers is defeated.
"We will have to force such vendors to comply with rules," Ghosh stated, adding that failure to do so would be an injustice to the genuine hawkers who operate within the legal framework. This statement highlights the internal tension within the vending ecosystem and the need for a balanced, rule-based approach to clear public spaces while protecting the livelihoods of authorized vendors.
The traders' direct appeal to the chief minister's office signals that local efforts have been insufficient. They are now seeking top-level political and administrative will to implement a permanent solution that protects the heritage and commercial viability of New Market, one of Kolkata's most iconic shopping destinations.
