Bulldozer razes illegal shops at Dumdum station at midnight

The Railways launched a major midnight eviction drive at Dum Dum Junction station on Saturday. Acting on long-standing allegations of encroachment, authorities used bulldozers to demolish illegal shops that had occupied the station platforms and the surrounding roads. The operation, which began late at night, was met with significant resistance from local traders and hawkers who attempted to stall the demolition. However, a heavy deployment of police and railway security ensured the drive proceeded, keeping protesters at a distance.

The Railways maintained that the eviction was necessary as illegal shops had severely narrowed the approach roads to the station, causing immense difficulty for daily commuters. Despite notices being served several days in advance, traders reportedly refused to vacate the premises, leading to the forceful removal. Railway officials pointed out that previous attempts to clear these areas were often thwarted by labor unions affiliated with the former state government. They noted that the current political shift in West Bengal has provided the necessary administrative support to finally execute these long-pending clearance orders.

The scene at Dum Dum was one of chaos and concern as one shop after another was reduced to rubble. For many of these traders, these stalls were their primary source of income, and the sudden demolition has left them worried about their future livelihoods. While labor organizations from various political backgrounds had recently held meetings to oppose the move, the scale of the police presence during the midnight operation made any effective intervention impossible. The station premises, which are usually crowded with passengers, remained heavily guarded throughout the night.