Anti-Encroachment Drive Near Howrah Station Triggers Political Row in West Bengal
Shops removed near Ganga Ghat and bus stand as Mamata Banerjee criticises alleged “bulldozer politics”
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has reportedly intensified its action against encroachment, launching a fresh anti-encroachment drive near Howrah Railway Station on Sunday.
As part of the operation, authorities carried out a demolition drive outside the busy transport hub, removing allegedly illegal structures and shops located near the Ganga Ghat and the bus stand area. Officials said the move was aimed at clearing public spaces, easing congestion, and improving movement around one of the state’s busiest transit points.
The action, however, has sparked a political controversy in the state, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee strongly criticising the government’s approach.
Reacting to the demolition drive, Banerjee reportedly objected to what she described as “bulldozer politics,” stating that West Bengal does not believe in such methods. She questioned the manner in which anti-encroachment actions were being carried out and expressed concerns over the impact on small shopkeepers and local livelihoods.
The anti-encroachment campaign is being viewed as part of the government’s broader effort to remove illegal structures and reclaim public land across key urban areas in the state. Supporters of the move argue that such drives are necessary to improve civic infrastructure and public convenience, while critics claim they disproportionately affect vulnerable traders and informal businesses.
The issue is expected to remain politically sensitive, with both ruling and opposition parties likely to continue debating the balance between urban development and the rehabilitation of affected vendors.
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