More than a week after a massive fire destroyed hundreds of electrical goods shops in Kolkata's prominent Ezra Street market, local trader associations have escalated their concerns to city authorities. The Calcutta Electric Traders Association and other market groups have submitted formal complaints to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and police department, demanding urgent intervention against long-standing safety hazards.
Immediate Safety Threats Identified
The communications, sent following the November 15 blaze that gutted the city's largest electrical market, highlight three critical dangers that continue to make the area vulnerable to another disaster. Illegal parking occupying multiple lanes, dangerously dangling overhead electrical wires, and widespread encroachments on both pavements and carriageways have been cited as primary concerns.
In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the mayor, the Calcutta Electric Traders Association detailed how vehicles "always park illegally not only on both sides of the road but also use two-thirds of the rows for illegal parking, blocking the one-way road in a pathetic way." The association further warned that "cables and wires across the electric market are not maintained properly, either exposed or hanging dangerously over roads."
Fire Response Challenges and Historical Context
Fire department officials confirmed that during the recent blaze, fire tenders faced significant delays reaching the inner lanes of the market due to illegally parked vehicles obstructing access routes. This concern echoes similar difficulties experienced during the 2018 Bagri market fire, creating a pattern of compromised emergency response in the densely populated commercial area.
The Ezra Street market area, located near Rabindra Sarani in central Kolkata, attracts thousands of workers, buyers, and transporters daily. Much of the trading activity extends onto the streets, with loading and unloading operations continuing throughout daylight hours. While the market's inherent density has always presented challenges, residents and business owners report that safety violations have dramatically increased in recent years.
Accountability and Previous Warnings
Fire Minister Sujit Bose, who personally visited the fire-ravaged site, emphasized that traders must also share responsibility for maintaining fire safety standards. However, several market stakeholders counter that they have repeatedly petitioned authorities about the growing violations, with little effective action taken to address their concerns.
The trader associations now hope that the recent devastating fire will serve as a wake-up call for municipal and law enforcement agencies to implement immediate measures that could prevent future tragedies in one of Kolkata's most vital commercial districts.
