Bikaner Express Sweets Outlet Threatens to Shut Operations After AMC’s ‘Illegal Demolition’ of Temporary Puja Stall at RMS Chowmuhani

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 6, 2025

In a shocking turn of events during the Durga Puja festivities, the renowned Bikaner Express sweets outlet at Orient Chowmuhani, near Guruji Conference Hall, Agartala, has expressed serious discontent over what it calls the illegal and unjustified demolition of its temporary seating and sweets stall by the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC). The management of Bikaner Express has alleged that despite obtaining all necessary permissions from the concerned departments, their temporary structure was dismantled without proper verification, causing severe humiliation and business loss during the festive season.

According to Bikaner Express authorities, the temporary seating arrangement was made from September 21 to October 21, 2025, purely to serve the large number of customers during Durga Puja. However, following a series of negative and misleading media reports, AMC officials suddenly took action and demolished the temporary stall, claiming it was constructed without permission.

Bikaner Express has strongly refuted these claims, stating that they had duly followed all legal procedures and obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Traffic Department, PWD (R&B), and Fire Department, as directed by the AMC itself.

Documents available with Bikaner Express and reviewed by this reporter clearly show the following:

On September 9, 2025, Bikaner Express submitted an application to AMC seeking permission for a temporary seating arrangement in front of its outlet.

On September 24, 2025, the Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Central Zone, Agartala Municipal Corporation, issued an official letter (Ref. No. F.177/Touji/CZ/AMC/2023/3676-78) directing Bikaner Express to obtain NOCs from the Fire Department, Traffic Department, and PWD (R&B) before final approval.

Complying with the instruction, Bikaner Express promptly collected the required NOCs:

From the Traffic Unit, Agartala, on September 26, 2025 (Ref. No. 8574), granting permission for a 17 ft x 20 ft temporary seating space without blocking or disturbing the road.

From the PWD (R&B) Division No-I, Agartala, on September 26, 2025 (Ref. No. F.25(14)/C-III/2025-26/5889), granting similar approval for the same period, September 21 to October 21, 2025.

All relevant official letters and NOCs were duly submitted to the AMC. However, AMC later claimed that the approval process could not be completed due to Puja holidays, despite the submission of all required departmental permissions.

The Bikaner Express authorities have condemned the irresponsible and baseless reports by certain media outlets that accused them of constructing the stall illegally or by misusing political connections. “If that were true,” a spokesperson said, “we would have received approval within 24 hours of our initial application. Instead, it took nearly two weeks to even get the department-wise NOCs. Yet, despite full compliance, AMC demolished our stall without notice.”

The outlet further stated that it is deeply disheartened by the incident and is considering shutting down operations in protest. “We have become victims of misinformation and administrative injustice,” the management said.

Bikaner Express reiterated that the media, considered the fourth pillar of democracy, should act responsibly by verifying facts before publishing. “Instead of checking official documents, some media houses made derogatory and politically motivated remarks, tarnishing our reputation,” their facebook statement added.

Copies of all correspondence including AMC’s directive letter and the three departmental NOCs have been made public through their facebook page by Bikaner Express to clarify the truth and expose the misinformation campaign.

As of now, the matter has sparked strong reactions among the business community in Agartala, many of whom see this as a concerning example of AMCs bureaucratic overreach during a major festival.



Notably, Bikaner Express Agartala refers to a pure vegetarian restaurant and sweet shop located at Orient Chowmuhani, Akhaura Road in Agartala, which offers Indian snacks, sweets, bakery items, and vegetarian meals made with desi ghee. The establishment grandly opened its doors on July 21, 2025.

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