Silchar Municipal Corporation launches anti-encroachment drive to enhance urban aesthetics and traffic flow

Silchar: Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has stepped up its ‘Clean & Safe Silchar’ mission with a sweeping eviction drive aimed at clearing illegal encroachments and unauthorised shops from public spaces.The Silchar Municipal Corporation has dismantled several shops and structures erected illegally on govt land and footpaths over the past couple of days. Officials said the move was aimed at easing traffic congestion in busy areas such as Rongpur, Rangirkhari, Sadarghat, and Club Road. The eviction drive was carried out peacefully, an official added.The crackdown, carried out in association with Shrishti Waste Management, seeks to restore pedestrian pathways, ease traffic congestion, and improve the city’s urban aesthetics.SMC commissioner Srishti Singh stressed that reclaiming footpaths is vital to improving both safety and convenience.“Encroachment-free roads are essential for a clean and livable city,” Singh said. As part of the exercise, SMC teams also visited recently incorporated areas like Rongpur and Kolartal to engage with traders and highlight the importance of securing valid trade license certificates. Officials explained that licenses provide legal recognition, boost business credibility, and ensure structured urban development.

“We want business owners to come forward and regularize their operations, which will ultimately strengthen Silchar’s commercial ecosystem,” the SMC stated.The civic body has linked the anti-encroachment drive with its larger goal of positioning Silchar as a model of sustainable urban management. By combining stricter enforcement with awareness campaigns, authorities hope to achieve a balance of growth and livability.The initiative also comes against the backdrop of a governance upgrade—Silchar’s municipal board was officially elevated to a municipal corporation earlier this year, with its formal inauguration held on June 30. Civic officials believe the transition has brought fresh momentum to urban reforms in Barak Valley, marking a new chapter for Silchar’s development.