Kolkata, August 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The West Bengal government has issued notices to over 500 traders at Kolkata’s Maidan Market, asking them to vacate the premises by August 26 to facilitate the construction of an underground metro station under the Joka-BBD Bag Metro Corridor, also known as the Kolkata Metro Purple Line.
A senior government official said the Public Works Department (PWD) has directed 528 traders operating from the market to shift their shops within the given deadline as the proposed Esplanade Metro Station will come up beneath the existing market area.
The development comes as construction work on the Esplanade Metro Station for the Joka-BBD Bag corridor advances. The project authorities require the area to be cleared to begin further work.
However, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has requested the state government to avoid permanent eviction of traders and instead make arrangements for temporary relocation during the construction period.
According to administrative sources, plans are being prepared to temporarily rehabilitate the traders at the Mounted Paddock ground of the Kolkata Police. The relocation process will begin after the required facilities are created at the alternate site.
The issue of shifting Maidan Market traders has remained a point of concern for authorities for several years due to the metro expansion plans. Officials said the traders have now agreed to relocate to enable the project to move forward.
The PWD has stressed that the market must be vacated within the stipulated period so that construction activities can begin without delay.
Meanwhile, work on the Victoria Station section of the corridor is already underway, with tunnel boring operations progressing in the Maidan area near Victoria Memorial.
The Joka-BBD Bag Metro project is expected to be completed by May 2028.
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