Kolkata, 16 May (H.S.) : In a major anti-encroachment drive, the railway authorities, assisted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), removed around 300 illegal stalls and hawker setups from the north and south sections of Sealdah Railway Station during an overnight operation, officials said on Saturday.

According to railway sources, the drive began around 11.30 pm on Friday and continued till nearly 3 am on Saturday. Hawkers and temporary structures occupying platforms and circulation areas inside the station premises were cleared during the operation.

Officials said notices had been issued to the hawkers last week asking them to vacate the premises. An earlier attempt to begin the eviction process was reportedly deferred after requests from the hawkers seeking additional time.

Railway authorities said illegal encroachments had been causing severe inconvenience to commuters on a daily basis, especially during peak hours. Concerns had also been raised over the possibility of stampede-like situations because of overcrowding and narrowing of passenger movement areas inside the station complex.

The authorities said the removal of encroachments would help improve passenger movement and strengthen safety arrangements at one of eastern India’s busiest railway stations.

However, the eviction has also triggered concern among hundreds of hawkers who depended on the station premises for their livelihood. Several affected vendors demanded rehabilitation and alternative arrangements from the administration.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey