Siliguri, 30th December: In a major drive to widen roads and clear encroachments, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) demolished over 100 unlawfully constructed shops in Champasari early Monday morning.
For years, unlawfully built shops and markets have occupied both sides of Nivedita Road near Champasari More, encroaching upon the road and drainage systems. Earlier, the SMC attempted to clear these shops, but the drive was halted due to protests from local shopkeepers and interference from Ward Councillor Dilip Barman. However, the authorities recently issued notices to the shopkeepers asking them to vacate.
On Monday, SMC workers demolished over 100 shops in the early hours. The operation’s main objective was to clear the encroachments and widen the road for better traffic flow. The affected traders have expressed their discontentment with the action.