Sand, Bricks on Roads to Invite Fines as West Bengal Tightens Civic Rules

The West Bengal government has announced a crackdown on the misuse of public roads, with fines to be imposed from September 1 on residents who store construction materials such as sand, bricks and stones on roads while building houses.

Speaking at a programme in Siliguri, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said roads are public property and cannot be used as storage spaces. Property owners have been directed to keep construction materials within their premises or face penalties.

“People cannot leave stones, sand and bricks on the road while constructing houses. Roads are not anyone’s private property,” Paul said.

The minister also announced that owners of vacant plots will be responsible for maintaining their land. She warned that overgrown vegetation, clogged drains and stagnant water on unused plots create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and increase the risk of dengue and other diseases. The move is part of the state's broader push to improve civic discipline and urban cleanliness.

The issue is not confined to West Bengal. In Hyderabad, construction materials are often left on residential roads for extended periods, narrowing carriageways and disrupting traffic. Similar practices are common in rural Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where roads are frequently occupied during house construction with limited enforcement.

Another widespread concern in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is the temporary occupation of public roads for family functions, including weddings and community celebrations. Tents, stages and seating arrangements often block traffic and inconvenience commuters, drawing frequent public complaints.

Paul further said the government will take strict action against illegal parking, especially vehicles parked on footpaths, and is introducing a dedicated parking app to promote the use of designated parking spaces. She also urged hawkers to leave sufficient space for pedestrians, while clarifying that no eviction drive against hawkers will be conducted until the conclusion of the Durga Puja festivities, in line with the Chief Minister's announcement.