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Municipal and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul conducted an early morning surprise inspection at 7 AM across Kolkata, visiting sidewalk shops in College Street, Dharmatala, and Park Street. During the visit, the minister reprimanded stall owners for setting up shops in multiple rows along the footpaths, severely obstructing pedestrian movement.
Expressing anger over the situation, Agnimitra Paul questioned how pedestrians could walk if vendors occupied footpaths in two or three lines. She issued strict instructions to police officials, ordering that all sidewalk shops must be aligned into a single row within 24 hours to ensure unobstructed space for commuters.
Clarifying the government's stance, the minister stated that in accordance with the Chief Minister's directives, no hawker will be evicted ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja festival. However, she emphasized that shopkeepers cannot conduct business by blocking entire footpaths and creating inconvenience for the public.