Malda civic chief cracks down on footpath encroachers, warns traders over unauthorised extensions

The Englishbazar municipality launched a drive to clear encroachments from footpaths and streamline traffic in Malda town on Monday, warning traders that they would face action if they did not remove unauthorised extensions.

Municipal chairman and the BJP MLA of Englishbazar, Amlan Bhaduri, led an inspection from Foara More to Rathbari crossing, one of the town’s busiest stretches.

Malda Sadar subdivisional officer Sambhudeep Sarkar, Englishbazar police station inspector-in-charge Pankaj Singh, councillors and administrative officials accompanied him.

The team walked along the stretch, inspecting encroachments and traffic movement.

Traders who had set up stalls or extended shops onto footpaths were warned that they would be given a deadline to remove the encroachments voluntarily.

Officials said an alternative vending space had been identified for affected traders to protect their livelihoods, but enforcement action would follow if the footpaths were not cleared within the stipulated period.

“This initiative has been taken to reduce traffic congestion in the town and to make commuting smoother and safer for the common people,” Bhaduri said.

“We want to ensure footpaths are for pedestrians,” he added.

The municipality also plans to regulate e-rickshaws, whose movement officials identified as a major contributor to congestion in central Malda.

Under the proposed arrangement, e-rickshaws would be allowed to enter the core town area only through designated points. The fixed routes will be announced later.

Two organised parking zones are also being planned to reduce haphazard roadside parking and to allow a space for residents to leave their vehicles while running
short errands.