Archive · 14 Aug 2025
KMC to Intensify Anti-Encroachment Drives in Kolkata
The Kolkata city government is starting regular clean-up operations to remove people and things that shouldn't be on public sidewalks and spaces.
They plan to do this three times a month.
The goal is to remove illegal structures and move homeless people to shelters, to keep the sidewalks free.
They've tried this before, but it didn't work well because the clean-ups were too far apart.
Recent actions include demolishing shops and addressing concerns about land used by the army.
Shelters for the homeless have limited space, so the city is also working on providing housing.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will hold anti-encroachment drives thrice a month.
Street dwellers will be moved to shelters as part of the drives.
Previous drives had limited impact due to long gaps between them.
Forty-eight shops on government land were demolished on July 12.
Eastern Command of the Indian Army flagged encroachment of defense land.
- Who
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and street dwellers.
- What
- KMC will conduct anti-encroachment drives and relocate street dwellers.
- When
- Drives will be conducted thrice a month starting from the time of publication.
- Where
- Kolkata, India.
- Why
- To remove encroachments and improve public spaces.
Concerns Over Shelter & Housing
Government Action
Street Dwellers Concerns
Concerns Over Shelter & Housing
Street dwellers often lack housing options, and some have family in other cities.
Government Action
Not applicable, as the other side is not explicitly stated.
- Frequency of Drives
- Thrice a month
- Objective
- Remove encroachments
- Shop Demolition
- 48 shops demolished on July 12
- Shelter Capacity
- Around 990 beds
- Vacant Beds
- 200
- Homeless in Survey (2018)
- 7,000