Will Kolkata's Footpaths Be Cleared of Vagrants?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- KMC launches a new drive to address urban vagrancy.
- Campaign set for three phases in August.
- Focus on relocating vagrants to night shelters.
- Initiative aims to beautify the city ahead of Durga Puja.
- Public inconvenience cited as a motivation for the drive.
Kolkata, July 27 (NationPress) The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is set to initiate a new initiative aimed at clearing Kolkata's roadways, passenger waiting zones, and footpaths from vagrants.
A KMC insider revealed on Sunday that this operation will unfold in three stages throughout August. A formal request for collaboration has been dispatched to the Kolkata Police.
The scheduled dates for this campaign are August 3, August 13, and August 23, with preparations already underway.
According to the KMC representative, "In this effort, vagrants and individuals residing on footpaths will be identified and relocated to night shelters for rehabilitation. Necessary arrangements are in progress."
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the city's aesthetics, especially with Durga Puja approaching in the final week of September.
A senior KMC official stated, "The presence of vagrants in various passenger waiting areas is causing significant inconvenience for the public. This time, we will conduct a comprehensive cleanup across the city."
It has been observed that many beggars and vagrants have established makeshift shelters under bus stops, on footpaths, or beneath bridges in key areas like Ultadanga, Moulali, and Mallik Bazar.
"To tackle these challenges, a three-phase initiative has been organized for the entirety of August," the official added.
Previously, a similar operation took place in several city locations, including from Mallik Bazar to Ballygunge Outpost, Gariahat to Hazra crossing, and areas like Gopalnagar, Park Circus, and Beck Bagan. While there was some success, it did not fully eliminate vagrants from the city's thoroughfares.