Kolkata Maidan Market: 528 traders get notices to vacate for metro project by Aug 26
Synopsis
After years of stalled negotiations, 528 traders at Kolkata's Maidan Market have received formal eviction notices with a 26 August deadline — clearing the last major human obstacle for the Esplanade Metro Station on the Joka–BBD Bag corridor. With tunnel boring already at Victoria Memorial, the Purple Line's May 2028 deadline now hinges on whether temporary rehabilitation at Mounted Paddock is ready in time.
Key Takeaways
The West Bengal PWD has served notices to 528 traders at Maidan Market , directing them to vacate by 26 August .
The market must be demolished to build the Esplanade Metro Station on the Joka–BBD Bag Metro Corridor (Purple Line).
RVNL had requested temporary relocation rather than permanent eviction; traders will be moved to the Mounted Paddock ground of Kolkata Police .
Traders at Maidan Market have reportedly agreed to relocate, ending years of resistance.
The tunnel boring machine has already reached Victoria Memorial ; Victoria Station construction is under way.
The full corridor is targeted for completion by May 2028 .
The West Bengal government has issued eviction notices to 528 traders at Maidan Market in central Kolkata, directing them to vacate the premises by 26 August to facilitate construction of an underground metro station for the Joka–BBD Bag Metro Corridor (Kolkata Metro Purple Line). The notices, served by the Public Works Department (PWD), mark a significant acceleration in a project that has long been stalled by trader-relocation disputes.
Why the Market Must Go
The planned Esplanade Metro Station — a critical node on the Joka–BBD Bag corridor — is to be built directly beneath Maidan Market, making demolition of the existing structure unavoidable. A senior government official confirmed on Saturday, 1 August that the PWD has set 26 August as the deadline for traders to clear their shops.
Notably, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) — the central agency executing the project — had earlier requested that traders not be permanently evicted but temporarily relocated to allow for Esplanade Metro expansion work. The government appears to have adopted a middle path, planning temporary rehabilitation rather than outright displacement.
Where the Traders Will Go
According to administrative sources, the West Bengal government is arranging temporary space for the displaced traders at the Mounted Paddock ground of the Kolkata Police. Relocation is expected to proceed once the necessary infrastructure at the temporary site is in place. Traders at Maidan Market have reportedly agreed to the move — a significant shift from the years of resistance that previously slowed the project.
Construction Progress on the Ground
Work on the corridor is already under way at adjacent stations. Construction of Victoria Station has commenced, and the tunnel boring machine has advanced to the level of Victoria Memorial in the Maidan area. RVNL authorities are now keen to begin Esplanade Metro Station work without further delay, making the August deadline critical to the project timeline.
Project Timeline and What Comes Next
The Joka–BBD Bag Metro project is slated for completion by May 2028. The PWD has underscored that vacating Maidan Market within the stipulated period is essential to keeping that deadline on track. Long-standing political complications around the relocation reportedly began to ease after a change of government in the state, with traders now indicating cooperation. Whether the rehabilitation infrastructure at Mounted Paddock is ready before the 26 August deadline will be the next key test for authorities.
Point of View
But the real bottleneck shifts to whether the state can deliver functional temporary infrastructure at Mounted Paddock before the 26 August deadline. If rehabilitation lags, the agreement could unravel quickly. With RVNL's tunnel boring machine already at Victoria Memorial, the pressure on the state government to execute — not just announce — is acute. The May 2028 deadline is achievable only if the administrative machinery matches the engineering momentum already on the ground.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Maidan Market traders being asked to vacate?
The traders are being relocated because the Esplanade Metro Station on the Joka–BBD Bag Metro Corridor is planned to be built directly beneath Maidan Market , requiring the market's demolition. The West Bengal PWD has set 26 August as the deadline for all 528 traders to clear their shops.
Where will the displaced Maidan Market traders be relocated?
According to administrative sources, traders will be temporarily rehabilitated at the Mounted Paddock ground of the Kolkata Police . The relocation is expected to proceed once the necessary infrastructure at the temporary site is ready.
What is the Joka–BBD Bag Metro project?
The Joka–BBD Bag Metro Corridor , also known as the Kolkata Metro Purple Line , is an under-construction metro line in Kolkata being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) . The project is slated for completion by May 2028 .
Have the traders agreed to vacate Maidan Market?
Yes, according to reports, traders at Maidan Market have agreed to relocate — a significant development after years of resistance that had complicated the project. The change of government in West Bengal is credited with helping ease the long-standing tensions.
How far has construction on the metro corridor progressed?
Construction of Victoria Station has already begun, and the tunnel boring machine has reached the level of Victoria Memorial in the Maidan area. RVNL is now eager to commence work on Esplanade Metro Station once the market is vacated.
