KMC demolishes illegal constructions in Kolkata linked to TMC leaders
Synopsis
Kolkata's civic body razed illegal multi-storey buildings at three sites — all reportedly tied to local TMC leaders — in the first major enforcement push after the West Bengal government declared zero tolerance on unauthorised construction. With a minister vowing to probe KMC officials who may have looked the other way, the action signals political pressure but also raises uncomfortable questions about years of inaction.
Key Takeaways
The KMC conducted a demolition drive at six locations in Kolkata on 24 May .
Active demolitions were carried out in Tiljala , Kasba , and Beliaghata — all three sites reportedly linked to local TMC leaders.
TMC leader Raju Naskar is alleged to be connected to the illegal structure in Beliaghata ; all three leaders have denied involvement.
Notices were issued under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Act, 1980 before the demolitions.
Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul warned that KMC officials who enabled illegal construction would also face investigation.
The drive follows Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's 'zero tolerance' directive on unauthorised construction in West Bengal .
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Sunday, 24 May launched a demolition drive across six locations in Kolkata, razing illegal multi-storey constructions in Tiljala, Kasba, and Beliaghata — all three of which are reportedly linked to local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders. The action follows West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's declaration of a 'zero tolerance' policy on unauthorised construction in the state.
What the Demolition Drive Covered
Municipal workers descended on six areas in the city, with active demolitions carried out at three sites. According to KMC officials, each of the three structures being razed is connected to a local TMC figure. TMC leader Raju Naskar is alleged to have been associated with the illegal construction in Beliaghata. Reports also point to a local councillor and a borough chairman being linked to the structures in the remaining two locations. All three have denied any connection to the unauthorised buildings.
Notably, in each case, multi-storey buildings had been erected in violation of plans approved by the KMC, and construction work was still ongoing in two of the blocks at the time of the raid.
What KMC Officials Said
KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey said, 'Today, a demolition drive is being carried out at six locations. In several cases, we have already issued notices, while some matters are pending in court. Wherever there are no legal obstacles, we are proceeding with the demolitions.' She added, 'What is illegal is illegal, and action will be taken against such construction. At the same time, no legal construction will be demolished.'
The civic body confirmed that police and central forces had cordoned off the affected areas to prevent any untoward incident during the operation.
Legal Basis for the Action
The KMC had served notices to property owners under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Act, 1980, which empowers the Municipal Commissioner to order demolition or cessation of work on any illegal or unplanned construction. The law requires the municipality to notify the owner before proceeding. Officials stated that owners had been duly informed and warned that non-compliance would result in the KMC carrying out the demolition itself.
Inspection records indicate that municipal officials had visited and flagged the Kasba site as illegal as far back as December, raising questions about why construction was allowed to continue for months after the identification.
Political Response and Accountability
State Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul visited the Kasba demolition site and signalled that accountability would extend beyond the builders. 'We have started the work of identifying illegal constructions. Just as punitive action will be taken against those who have built these structures, the officials and employees of the civic body in charge will not be spared either. How were all these illegal structures built? Didn't the civic body or the previous minister see it? Everyone's role will be investigated,' she said.
Locals at the Kasba site also alleged that businessman-turned-strongman Biswajit Poddar, alias Sona Pappu, had been involved in illegal construction activities in the area. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Broader Context
This is among the first visible enforcement actions since the state government's zero-tolerance directive came into effect. This comes amid heightened scrutiny of civic bodies across West Bengal over alleged nexus between local political figures and unauthorised real-estate activity. The KMC has indicated that further notices have been issued across other parts of Kolkata and that demolitions will continue wherever no court stay is in place.
Point of View
Not merely a few rogue builders. Minister Paul's threat to investigate civic officials is the right instinct, but it will be tested by whether any KMC employee actually faces consequences. Zero-tolerance announcements in Indian cities have a poor track record of outlasting the news cycle; what distinguishes this one will be whether the notices and demolitions extend uniformly beyond politically inconvenient targets.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the KMC carry out demolitions in Kolkata on 24 May?
The KMC demolished illegal multi-storey constructions at three sites in Tiljala, Kasba, and Beliaghata as part of a six-location drive on 24 May. The action follows Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's zero-tolerance directive on unauthorised construction in West Bengal.
Which TMC leaders are linked to the illegal constructions?
According to KMC officials, TMC leader Raju Naskar is reportedly associated with the illegal structure in Beliaghata. A local councillor and a borough chairman are alleged to be linked to the sites in the other two locations. All three have denied any involvement.
Under what law did the KMC issue demolition notices?
The KMC issued notices under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Act, 1980, which empowers the Municipal Commissioner to order demolition of any illegal or unplanned construction after notifying the property owner.
What did Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul say at the Kasba site?
Minister Paul said that punitive action would be taken not only against those who built the illegal structures but also against KMC officials and employees who may have allowed the construction to proceed. She called for an investigation into everyone involved.
Will the KMC continue demolitions at other locations in Kolkata?
Yes. KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey confirmed that notices have already been issued at multiple locations across the city. Demolitions will proceed wherever there is no court-ordered stay on the action.
