Howrah Station Sees Relief After Massive Eviction Drive

This time, Howrah: Over the years, commuters had their first run-in with crowds, hawkers and blocked roads as they stepped out of Howrah station. Running to catch a train, bags on their heads, suitcases in their hands, as well as the crowd of pushcarts, stalls, food stalls and illegal stalls on both sides of the road, left them with virtually no place to walk. Especially at the entrance of the subway and the road along the Ganges was the most occupied area. But the picture seemed to change after Saturday night. The RPF and GRP jointly carried out a massive eviction drive in the Howrah station premises late on Saturday night. Illegal shops, food stalls, pushcarts and bunks that had occupied the railway premises were demolished with bulldozers. Allegedly, these shops had been built over a long period of time due to local politics. At least 150 shops have been demolished, according to local sources. The changed Howrah station premises since Sunday morning has been a relief to the general public.