Kolkata4 hours agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The city has witnessed several deadly incidents in recent weeks, prompting authorities to crack down on hotels, restaurants and other establishments allegedly failing to comply with mandatory fire and safety norms. Several establishments have been served with show-cause notices, while some have also been directed to suspend operations.
However, a ground reality check suggests that several vulnerable spots across Kolkata may still require urgent inspection.
Bhabanipur, the constituency of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, is witnessing serious fire safety concerns at Jadu Babu Bazar, where exposed electrical boxes and loose cables pose a potential hazard in the crowded market area.
Exposed electricity meter box and loose electrical cables
A potentially dangerous situation has come to light in Bhabanipur, where an exposed electricity meter box and loose electrical cables are located close to a busy market area. The spot is near Jadu Babu Bazar, which has thousands of shops, several of which reportedly store combustible and flammable materials.
The concern becomes more serious because a licensed bar-cum-restaurant, Tripti, operates above the premises.
Exposed electrical equipment raises concern
During a ground visit to the area, an open meter box and an exposed electrical box with loose cables were found near the market. With electrical short circuits being a potential source of fire, local shopkeepers fear that any spark in the area could have serious consequences.
The surrounding market remains crowded throughout the day, with shops operating in close proximity to one another. A fire breaking out near electrical equipment could therefore spread rapidly, particularly if combustible materials are present nearby.
Shopkeepers say repeated requests went unanswered
Several shopkeepers said they had repeatedly requested the property owner to address the electrical and safety-related issues. However, they claimed that their requests were not acted upon. According to the traders, they were often met with a refusal, a “no,” when they approached the property owner about repairs.
With no concrete action being taken, members of the local business committee have reportedly attempted to address some of the problems using their own funds. Shopkeepers have now urged the administration to intervene and conduct a proper inspection of the building and the surrounding market.
‘A fire broke out here years ago’
One shopkeeper recalled that a fire had broken out in the area several years ago and warned that the existing situation could lead to another dangerous incident. The shopkeeper also raised concerns about customers leaving the bar-cum-restaurant above the market and allegedly throwing cigarette butts near the meter boxes.
“Customers visiting the bar often throw cigarette butts around. If one of them lands near the exposed electrical equipment or any combustible material, it could trigger a fire,”
The shopkeeper said.
According to the traders, repeated requests to address the issue have not received a satisfactory response.
Bar management declines to comment
The manager of the bar-cum-restaurant operating above the market declined to comment on the issue. The manager reportedly said that they were not authorised to speak about the matter.
This has further added to the concerns among local traders, who say the issue involves not just one establishment but the safety of an entire market complex.
Traders demand government inspection
Shopkeepers claim that adequate fire safety measures are not visible throughout the building and the surrounding market area. They fear that an emergency could have a cascading effect because of the density of shops and the presence of potentially flammable materials.
With the government already taking action against establishments that violate safety norms, traders say similar inspections should also be carried out at older and crowded commercial complexes such as Jadu Babu Bazar.
The demand is straightforward: the government should inspect the electrical installations, fire-safety arrangements, access routes, emergency exit,s and other safety measures in the building and adjoining market area.
For traders operating in the market, the concern is not about waiting for another tragedy to expose the vulnerabilities. It is about fixing the hazards before a spark turns into a fire and puts thousands of people at risk.
