Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor Dipak Majumder, along with the anti-encroachment squad, spearheaded a determined effort to reclaim pedestrian spaces and ensure smooth traffic flow by cracking down on illegally constructed shops and stalls on public property. The operation, conducted on Motor Stand – Kaman Chowmuhani Road and the narrow road in GB Hospital areas leading to the Cancer Hospital and 79-tilla, aimed to remove encroachments and create more space for pedestrians and vehicles.
As bulldozers dismantled these encroachments, substantial areas of land were reclaimed, which will facilitate the widening of roads and enhance traffic movement in the city. The initiative comes in anticipation of the upcoming Durga Puja festival, where the influx of people and vehicles is expected.
Mayor Dipak Majumder emphasized that the primary objective of the drive was to ensure a clean and unobstructed flow of both traffic and pedestrians. He noted that the operation specifically targeted illegal encroachments on roads and sidewalks, where vendors had erected structures without adhering to proper guidelines, causing inconvenience to the general public.
The Mayor clarified that only vendors with valid licenses operating within designated vendor zones would be allowed to continue their businesses. He underscored that the government and AMC were not opposed to small business owners, including those running tea stalls and fast food shops, as they provide livelihoods for many impoverished families.
Mayor Majumder also announced that the anti-encroachment drive would persist until the Durga Puja festival, as per a decision made during a Council of Ministers meeting. The ongoing efforts are aimed at ensuring a clean and unhindered environment for the people and the seamless movement of traffic during the festive season.
The AMC’s proactive approach to reclaiming public spaces and regulating street vendors aims to enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors while maintaining essential livelihoods in the community.
