Bengal: KMC razed down illegal structure outside Abhishek Banerjee residence in Kalighat
Kolkata Municipal Corporation workers on Thursday removed a temporary shed and an iron gate outside TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat. The civic operation, carried out amid heavy police and central force deployment, followed complaints that the structures were obstructing pedestrian movement on the footpath.
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The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on November 12, launched a drive to clear a temporary structure and an iron gate outside the Kalighat residence of Trinamool Congress MP and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. A bulldozer and gas cutters were deployed to remove the remaining structures as police and central forces maintained security at the spot.
(KMC Deploys Bulldozer to Remove Illegal Structure Outside Abhishek Banerjee Residence, Image: The Week)
The action took place outside Banerjee’s residence at 121, Kalighat Road. Civic workers began clearing the makeshift bamboo-and-tin shed in the morning, while another team dismantled the iron gate and railings allegedly erected on the public footpath.
Structure Built for Security Personnel
The temporary shed was originally constructed by the Directorate of Security to accommodate personnel after Banerjee was provided Z-plus security cover. However, the structure remained in place even after the additional security arrangement was withdrawn.
Local residents had reportedly complained that the shed occupied public space and restricted movement along the footpath.
A portion of the structure was dismantled by Banerjee’s men on Wednesday. KMC workers arrived the following morning to remove what remained. Officials used a bulldozer to pull down the shed and clear the pavement.
The iron gate and railings, allegedly erected illegally on the footpath in front of MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence on Kalighat Road, are also being removed with the help of gas cutters. https://t.co/dbT5nEyUKE pic.twitter.com/OmjeM9CWFu
— Piyali Mitra (@Plchakraborty) November 12, 2026
Iron Gate and Railings Also Removed
The civic operation also covered an iron gate and railings outside the boundary wall of the residence. The structures were allegedly built illegally on the footpath.
KMC workers used gas cutters to dismantle the gate before removing it from the spot. Residents had raised concerns that the encroachment was making it difficult for pedestrians to use the pavement.
Political Tensions Amid Security Deployment
The removal drive comes amid a political standoff over the structures and security arrangements outside Banerjee’s residence.
TMC spokesperson Arka Nag maintained that the shed had been built by the police for security personnel during the previous regime and was no longer needed after the withdrawal of the additional security cover. He said arrangements had been made on Banerjee’s behalf to remove it, with party workers beginning the process on Wednesday evening.
KMC officials indicated that the remaining portions of the shed and gate had to be cleared to restore access to the footpath.
The operation also comes days after reports of clashes between workers of rival political parties near the residence. Banerjee had recently alleged that police personnel were keeping surveillance outside his house.
Heavy police deployment, along with central forces, remained in place throughout the operation to prevent any disturbance.
The civic action is aimed at clearing the encroached portion of Kalighat Road and restoring pedestrian access to the footpath.