SMC's Eviction Drive Enters Third Day, Reclaims Silchar’s Congested Roads and Footpaths

Silchar: The Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday carried out a large-scale eviction drive for the third consecutive day. The civic body, with support from enforcement personnel and police, targeted key roads and footpaths overrun by illegal encroachments across the town’s busiest areas.

The eviction operation, which began early in the morning, focused on several high-traffic stretches, including Sadarghat Road, Central Road, Premtola Point, Shillong Patty, Park Road, Court Compound, and the stretch from Capital Point to the SMC office. Street vendors operating without authorization were asked via loudspeakers to vacate the premises voluntarily. In cases of non-compliance, officials dismantled makeshift stalls and cleared away abandoned goods.

An SMC spokesperson, speaking at the site, said the drive was necessary to restore order and ensure smoother movement for both pedestrians and vehicles. “For too long, these spaces have been overrun by illegal stalls and vendors, making it extremely difficult for people to walk safely or drive without obstruction. We are committed to enforcing the rules so that citizens can reclaim their rightful space,” the official told DDIPR.

The public response has largely been supportive. Local residents and commuters, particularly from the congested Shillong Patty and Central Road areas, welcomed the move.“It was a nightmare crossing these roads every day. The footpaths were completely blocked with stalls, leaving no space for walking. This drive is a big relief,” said a local resident who witnessed the operation.

Officials emphasized that the eviction drive is not a one-off measure but part of a broader urban management and congestion mitigation plan. While acknowledging the challenges faced by street vendors, the SMC maintained that public convenience and safety must take priority. The civic body is currently working on identifying and notifying designated vending zones to accommodate informal vendors in a regulated and non-disruptive manner. Until these zones are finalized, vendors have been advised to refrain from setting up stalls on public footpaths and roads.

Wednesday’s drive was notably larger in scale than those conducted in the previous two days, with more areas covered and a greater number of unauthorized structures removed. The SMC has also received increasing complaints from residents about worsening congestion and blocked walkways, prompting the stepped-up enforcement.

SMC officials have stated that eviction drives will continue in the coming days, with regular monitoring to ensure that cleared areas are not re-encroached. The Corporation has appealed to vendors and citizens to cooperate and help maintain civic order. “We understand the livelihood concerns of vendors, but unregulated encroachment cannot be allowed to compromise public safety. Our goal is to strike a balance between livelihoods and urban discipline,” said the SMC spokesperson.

Citizens now hope these efforts will be consistent and backed by policy-level regulation to prevent a return to the chaotic status quo.