After 20 years, Herbertganj Bazaar here has been cleaned and freed of encroachment.

The move followed the publication of a report, Filthy Market Sparks Concern, in The Telegraph on Thursday. Hailakandi deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli directed the civic authorities to clean the age-old market immediately, which was done over the next two days.

The chief executive officer of Hailakandi Municipal Board, Tridib Roy, said, “After seeing the report in the newspaper, I started the cleanliness work with the employees and ward commissioners of the municipality.” Roy admitted that the market’s drainage was totally blocked, making the area very dirty and infested with mosquitoes. The it increased the chances of spreading coronavirus.

A concrete structure, which Roy said was illegally constructed at the exit point of drains, was also demolished.

Huge security forces were deployed during the cleanliness drive.

The residents of nearby areas, vendors and visitors to the market appreciated the steps taken by the civic and district administration.

A vendor, Sabul Hussain Laskar, said they were extremely happy about the cleanliness drive. He said the administration and civic authorities of Hailakandi were unable to vacate the market from encroachers from the past 20 years and, due to the illegal encroachment, the entire market was flooded with dirty water.

He said this type of cleanliness drive should be done at regular intervals. He also urged fellow fish and meat vendors to be very active in keeping the market clean and hygienic.

He said the government alone cannot maintain the market unless the traders make an effort.

A senior official of the administration said steps have also been taken to check selling of cut fish and imported fish in view of the coronavirus threat.