Siliguri, 05th February: Siliguri Traffic Police launched a fresh late-night operation at Bidhan Market to clear illegal encroachments from roads and footpaths, removing several roadside shops during the drive.
According to sources, for a long time some traders in the Bidhan Market area had allegedly been flouting administrative directives by occupying portions of the road in front of their shops. Shopkeepers were reportedly conducting business by displaying goods on the streets and footpaths, causing obstruction to traffic and pedestrians.
On Wednesday night, personnel of the Panitanki Traffic Guard under the Siliguri Police Commissionerate carried out the operation, removing encroaching shops from the road and footpath areas. Several items belonging to the shopkeepers were also seized during the drive. The traders were issued strict warnings against repeating such violations in future.
Traffic police officials said similar anti-encroachment drives have been underway across the city for the past few months as part of an effort to keep Siliguri’s roads free from illegal occupation. Multiple areas have already seen the removal of roadside shops during these operations.