Asansol, 25 May (H.S.): The crackdown on alleged illegal constructions intensified in West Bengal as bulldozer action reached Burnpur in Asansol after similar drives in New Town and Kolkata. On Monday, several alleged unauthorized Trinamool Congress offices built on land belonging to SAIL-ISP (Indian Iron and Steel Company) were demolished by authorities.

Among the structures razed was the office of Trinamool Congress councillor Kanchan Mukhopadhyay from Ward No. 75 of the Asansol Municipal Corporation. The demolition was carried out with bulldozers under the supervision of ISP authorities.

According to ISP officials, the offices had been constructed illegally on company land without permission. They claimed that notices had been issued multiple times earlier, but the structures were not removed due to the influence of the then ruling party leaders.

Reacting to the demolition, councillor Kanchan Mukhopadhyay said the office had been built for public welfare and to help local residents. He stated that ISP officials had informed him on Sunday evening to vacate the premises and that he had requested three to four days to remove belongings. However, the demolition drive began on Monday morning before the deadline.

Despite the action, Mukhopadhyay said he held no resentment against the ISP authorities and supported any step taken in the interest of development.

Since the change in government in West Bengal, the administration has intensified action against alleged illegal constructions and encroachments under a “zero tolerance” policy announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

In recent weeks, similar bulldozer drives have been carried out in areas such as Tiljala and Beleghata in Kolkata, where unauthorized structures were demolished. Authorities have also removed allegedly illegal constructions in Garia and carried out anti-encroachment operations in Hooghly targeting unlawful toll collection points. The latest action in Asansol is being seen as part of the same statewide campaign.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey