Bulldozer action in Kasba, Tiljala and Beleghata; massive crackdown on illegal structures

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has intensified its battle against unauthorized urban development by launching a coordinated demolition drive across Kasba, Beleghata, and Tiljala. In a significant show of force, heavy machinery, including three bulldozers, was deployed to Tiljala’s G.J. Khan Road to dismantle a seven-storey illegal structure. The operation was conducted under a massive security blanket comprising the Kolkata Police and central forces to prevent any local unrest, particularly as a Trinamool Congress party office is located directly opposite the targeted building. The KMC had reportedly issued a formal demolition notice for this structure on the 23rd of the month.

In Kasba, the drive took on a higher administrative profile with the presence of Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul, who arrived at the site to oversee the proceedings. According to sources, the individuals responsible for the illegal construction were summoned for a hearing on Saturday but failed to appear before the authorities. Intelligence reports suggest that the unauthorized construction in Kasba may be linked to a local figure known as "Sona Pappu." The use of bulldozers in this residential pocket underscores the administration's commitment to clearing structures that bypass municipal safety and building codes.

Simultaneously, Beleghata witnessed a similar crackdown targeting properties associated with promoter Raju Naskar. KMC workers, supported by security personnel, began demolishing two unauthorized houses on East Kulia Road and Barowaritola. Both properties fall within Ward 34 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. This multi-pronged approach across different wards signals a zero-tolerance policy toward the "promoter raj" and illegal encroachments that have long plagued the city’s urban planning efforts.