What began as a municipal initiative to ensure cleaner footpaths and smoother traffic movement has quickly turned into a contentious issue in Agartala, triggering a wider debate over urban discipline and the protection of livelihoods. The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Wednesday launched a major anti-encroachment drive, removing roadside vendors and clamping down on illegal parking across the city.
The operation followed an earlier announcement by Mayor Dipak Majumder, who stated that from February 3, parking on covered drains and roadsides would be prohibited and that street vendors would be allowed to operate only with valid vending licences. Acting on the directive, AMC’s task force began operations at dawn, targeting major junctions, clearing footpaths and seizing carts and other structures.
However, the drive soon sparked controversy as hawkers alleged that even licensed vendors were removed without proper verification. Several traders claimed their stalls were dismantled indiscriminately. Biplab Kar of the BJP-affiliated Hawkers Association accused the corporation of harassment, saying the action had severely impacted poor families dependent on daily earnings. “This is injustice to people who survive hand to mouth,” he said.
Public response to the drive has been sharply divided. Many residents welcomed the initiative, arguing that illegal encroachment and roadside parking had made pedestrian movement and traffic flow extremely difficult. “Every junction had become chaotic. Walking on footpaths was nearly impossible,” said a commuter near Battala.
Others, however, questioned the fairness and sustainability of the operation. Residents and traders alike demanded the creation of designated vending zones to strike a balance between urban order and livelihood security. Skepticism also remains about long-term enforcement, with some noting that similar drives in the past faded within weeks.
Defending the action, Mayor Majumder reiterated that footpaths are meant for pedestrians and roads for vehicles. Meanwhile, calls are growing for rehabilitation measures, including relocating vendors to alternative spaces such as the old TRTC complex. With allegations of licensed carts being seized still unanswered, the debate over development versus displacement continues to intensify in Agartala.
