Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s notice asking people to remove encroachments from under flyovers and bridges within seven days has led to fear and demands for rehabilitation among hawkers and shopkeepers who have lived and worked there for decades.The notice says action will be taken under rules if the shops and structures are not removed. Many occupants said the one-week deadline is too short and that it is “impossible” to “find alternative places of livelihood” so quickly. Some said they may move court.On June 26, the joint commissioner of police sent KMC a division-wise list of flyovers and bridges where shops, godowns and residents were found. The list said “permanent 80 godowns and 18-19 stalls” had encroached on Gouri Bari Lane under Aurobindo Setu near Khanna Cinema Hall.Many establishments under Aurobindo Setu were shut on Monday after the notice was put up.Carpenter Basanta Das said, “This shop was set up under the flyover in 2002 and we pay Rs 500 rent to the KMDA every month. Even the rent was paid through bank this month. My house is in Salkia. I work here till late night and stay here. The civic body needs to arrange for our rehabilitation, otherwise our livelihood will be affected.”Baidhar Beher (63), who runs a tea stall under the flyover, said, “I started manning the stall with my father at this spot since 1972 when I was a nine-year-old kid. Two years later, this bridge came up but we did not leave this spot. Today KMC officials came and asked us to move elsewhere. But where shall we go?”Under Vidyapati Setu, also known as Sealdah flyover, hawkers continued business even after the notice. According to the police report, around 500 people, mostly labourers, porters and van drivers of Sisir Market, stay under the flyover. Sisir Market has 927 permanent stalls, 120 temporary food stalls and 150 temporary garments stalls.Bag seller Balaram Saha said, “Post 1971 our families moved to Kolkata and set up shops here. Why has the notice been given to us, why not the traders of Sisir Market that is also under the flyover? We are discussing the matter and if needed, we will move court.”Around 250 shops under Sukanta Setu are also facing uncertainty. About 25 families, each with four or five members, live under the bridge.Shopkeeper Tapas Barua said, “We have been doing business here for over 30 years. We were relocated at this place back in 1996 when Operation Sunshine took place. Many among us left and some passed away over the years as only some of us are left. A notice has been issued by KMC which says that we have to shift out from this place within seven days without arranging any rehabilitation package for us. Where will we go if we are evicted from here?”The shopkeepers said they want to meet Jadavpur BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee. One shopkeeper said, “We have sent a letter to the local MLA with requests if our concerns could be considered.”
