AMC continues eviction drive; Ashram Chowmuhani–Motorstand stretch cleared, spot fines imposed

Continuing its ongoing anti-encroachment drive across the city, the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Wednesday evening carried out a major eviction drive along the busy National Highway stretch from Ashram Chowmuhani to Motorstand under the East Zone. Several illegally set up footpath shops and encroachments on government land were removed during the operation.

The eviction drive, which began on February 4, is being conducted jointly by the AMC, the Traffic Department and the Public Works Department (PWD) to clear roads, footpaths and public passages of encroachments. Earlier, major footpath stretches at Battala, Melarmath, Post Office Chowmuhani, Sakuntala Road, Kaman Chowmuhani and in front of Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan were cleared. Notably, some vendors possessing valid vending licences were also shifted from highly congested zones.

Since February 4, the AMC task force has been carrying out continuous eviction operations across Agartala. On Wednesday, a large team of AMC officials and task force members again conducted a drive along the Ashram Chowmuhani–Motorstand stretch, where illegal footpath hawkers and shopkeepers were found storing goods on footpaths, leading to severe traffic congestion throughout the day.

Providing details, a task force official said the corporation had made repeated public announcements over the past few days, urging illegal footpath traders to vacate encroached areas voluntarily. To minimize inconvenience to residents, the eviction drive was initiated from midnight on February 4, he added.

The official stated that the operation aims to ease pedestrian movement, reduce traffic congestion, address water logging after heavy rainfall and prepare the city for a cleaner and more organized urban environment. The drive continued till Wednesday night and will be carried forward in the coming days as well.

During the operation, the AMC task force-imposed spot penalties on several errant traders and issued strict warnings. The official cautioned that stringent legal action would be taken if traders are found continuing their businesses on government footpaths or roads.

He further informed that AMC has intensified cleaning operations in roads, markets, water bodies and residential areas following repeated complaints related to footpath encroachments. Admitting that in some areas hawkers had reinstalled stalls after earlier eviction drives, he asserted that all such illegal structures would be removed again, warning that no encroachment on footpaths or government land would be tolerated as it causes severe hardship to city residents.