The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) will launch a comprehensive city-wide anti-encroachment drive from February 3 to remove illegal occupation of footpaths and roads, with the aim of reducing congestion and improving traffic movement across the city. Announcing the decision on Saturday, Mayor Dipak Majumder said the initiative follows repeated complaints and concerns over persistent encroachments on public spaces.
The mayor said that despite several enforcement drives conducted earlier by a task force, illegal encroachments by traders and vendors continued to pose serious challenges to civic management and traffic regulation. Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Manik Saha, the AMC has decided to undertake a coordinated and intensified operation to remove all unauthorised structures from roads and footpaths throughout Agartala.
Majumder said a recent coordination meeting was held among departments working under the Smart City Mission, including the AMC, police, and traffic authorities. The meeting focused on improving civic management and streamlining traffic movement. As part of the coordinated effort, special attention will be given to densely populated and commercially congested areas of the city.
Referring to the Howrah market area along the river embankment, the mayor said unplanned expansion had led to the mushrooming of unauthorised businesses. He informed that traders have already been notified, and from February 7, unauthorised vendors will be evicted from the market area. Vending will be permitted only in notified vending zones, and all structures must strictly adhere to approved specifications. Permanent structures in vending zones will not be allowed, he clarified.
On traffic management, Majumder said routine enforcement drives on roads would be restricted during peak hours to avoid inconvenience to commuters. Traffic violations would be monitored through CCTV surveillance. However, strict action will continue against illegal parking, especially vehicles parked on covered drains or outside designated parking zones. Traffic authorities have been directed to tow away such vehicles.
The mayor also highlighted progress under the Smart City Mission, stating that riverfront development works have been completed, while several road projects are nearing completion. He added that drainage works have been completed city-wide and efforts are underway to extend water supply connections to the remaining 17,000 households. With major infrastructure projects progressing, Agartala is expected to witness significant urban improvements in the coming year.
