On Monday, the Calcutta High Court directed the authorities to begin work on the Joka-B.B.D. Bagh Metro project in the Dharmatala’s Bidhan Market area within seven days. To make that possible, the shopkeepers of Bidhan Market will have to be temporarily relocated.
However, the court has made one thing clear: the traders cannot simply be asked to leave without proper arrangements being made at the alternative site.
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A bench headed by Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee passed the directions on Monday while hearing a plea related to the proposed relocation of the market’s traders.
Why does Bidhan Market have to be cleared?
The iconic Bidhan Chandra Roy Market area stands in the way of a major part of the Joka-B.B.D. Bagh Metro project.
The planned Esplanade Metro station is to be constructed underneath the market. As a result, the area needs to be cleared before construction can move forward.
The High Court has now directed that work in the market area should begin within seven days. But before the traders are moved, the authorities have also been asked to make adequate security arrangements.
Where will the traders go?
Reports noted that the shopkeepers could be temporarily relocated to the Mounted Police Parade Ground area.
The traders had earlier moved the Calcutta High Court after alleging that they were being asked to vacate Bidhan Market without receiving sufficient assurances about their temporary relocation and future rehabilitation.
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The court directed the authorities to ensure that the temporary relocation is carried out only after the alternative site has adequate water, electricity and other essential civic facilities.
The court has also directed the agency responsible for the project to ensure that the traders are allowed to return to their original location once the construction work is over.
The project authority has also been asked to provide the traders with a written assurance regarding their return.