Burnpur (West Burdwan): Tension prevailed in the market area adjacent to Burnpur railway station after the South Eastern Railway issued eviction notices to shopkeepers operating on railway land, directing them to remove their establishments within seven days.
The move triggered strong protests on Thursday, with traders staging a demonstration against what they termed a sudden and unfair action. Many shopkeepers claimed they have been running their businesses in the area for the last 20 to 30 years and questioned the lack of any rehabilitation plan before issuing the notices.
Following the protest, Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) Ward No. 78 councillor Ashok Rudra visited the site and expressed solidarity with the affected traders. He said the shopkeepers depended entirely on these establishments for their livelihood and that an abrupt eviction would severely impact their families.
“We are not against development work by the railways,” the traders said. “But our livelihood and families must also be taken into account. Evicting us without any alternative arrangement will push us into a serious crisis.”
Councillor Rudra echoed these concerns, stating that while local residents support development projects, the future of long-standing shopkeepers must be considered. “Some traders have been earning their livelihood here for 20 to 30 years. If they are suddenly asked to leave, where will they go?” he asked. He further asserted that the shopkeepers would not vacate the area until proper rehabilitation arrangements are made.
Meanwhile, the South Eastern Railway maintained that the eviction notices were issued strictly in accordance with existing rules, stating that the shops were illegally occupying railway land.
Burnpur, a steel township, has a unique land demarcation, with railway land on one side and land belonging to SAIL’s IISCO Steel Plant on the other. The issue has once again brought to the forefront the long-standing conflict between development activities and the livelihoods of local traders.
Further developments are awaited as discussions between the railway authorities, local administration, and shopkeepers continue.