Heated exchanges disrupted Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday after allegations of large-scale encroachment on Kolkata Port land triggered sharp political sparring between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress.The confrontation began when BJP member Samik Bhattacharya raised the issue of unauthorised occupation of land under the Kolkata Port Authority, claiming that a substantial portion had been encroached upon. He also alleged that the locality had been publicly described as “mini Pakistan” by Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim, who is also a Trinamool Congress legislator in West Bengal. The remark prompted strong protests from Trinamool members, who objected to the characterisation and accused the BJP of communalising a land dispute.
Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur responded that a significant stretch of port land in Kolkata remains under encroachment. He told the Upper House that legal proceedings have been initiated and cases are pending before courts, but the port authority has been unable to secure eviction of occupants. His admission added weight to concerns over the scale of unauthorised occupation while underscoring procedural constraints faced by authorities.
Kolkata Port, officially known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, is one of the country’s oldest major ports, with jurisdiction over vast tracts of land along the Hooghly river. Over decades, parts of its estate have been subject to informal settlements, warehousing and commercial use without clear title. Port land disputes have surfaced intermittently in Parliament and state politics, reflecting the intersection of urban pressure, industrial decline in certain riverfront zones, and competing claims over redevelopment.
Parliamentary records show that encroachment of land belonging to major ports has been a recurring administrative challenge. Data placed before Parliament in previous sessions indicated that thousands of acres across various major ports were under encroachment, with litigation slowing recovery efforts. Officials have often cited the need to balance humanitarian considerations in densely populated urban areas with statutory obligations to protect public assets.
The immediate controversy, however, acquired a sharper political edge because of the alleged “mini Pakistan” remark. Firhad Hakim has faced criticism in the past over comments interpreted by opponents as sectarian. Trinamool leaders have consistently denied any communal intent, maintaining that isolated statements have been misrepresented. During Tuesday’s uproar, Trinamool members demanded that the Chair expunge references they considered inflammatory.
Samik Bhattacharya, representing West Bengal in the Upper House, argued that the matter was not merely administrative but involved national assets and security considerations. He urged the Union government to outline a time-bound plan to reclaim port property and prevent further encroachment. Opposition members countered that urban land disputes require coordination with state agencies and cannot be framed solely as a law-and-order issue.
Shantanu Thakur reiterated that the port authority has followed due process, filing cases in competent courts and seeking eviction orders where applicable. He indicated that legal complexities and prolonged litigation have delayed physical recovery of land. Under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, port authorities have enhanced administrative and financial autonomy, but eviction proceedings must still conform to statutory safeguards and judicial oversight.
Urban development experts note that Kolkata’s riverfront presents a unique planning challenge. Industrial restructuring over the past three decades has left stretches of port land underutilised, while migration and housing shortages have driven informal settlements. Attempts at redevelopment have often encountered legal disputes over tenancy, leasehold rights and rehabilitation.
The exchange in the Rajya Sabha reflects broader tensions between the Union government and the West Bengal administration, where political rivalry between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress has intensified across multiple fronts. Land governance, especially in high-value urban zones, frequently becomes a flashpoint in that contest.
At the administrative level, reclaiming encroached land typically involves joint surveys, issuance of notices, and, if required, police assistance. Authorities must also comply with court directions concerning rehabilitation or alternative arrangements where long-term occupation is established. Legal experts point out that eviction without adherence to procedure risks further litigation and potential stays from higher courts.
Port officials have in earlier briefings emphasised digitisation of land records and satellite mapping to identify encroachments more accurately. Similar exercises at other major ports have led to phased recovery of parcels, though outcomes vary depending on local conditions and the extent of occupation.