West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a one-time compensation of Rs 1 lakhs each for shop owners whose shops have been completely burnt in the fire at Kolkata’s Khidirpur Market early on Monday. She further said that owners whose shops have been partially burnt, will get Rs 50,000 as compensation from the state.

“The owners whose shops have been gutted will be provided with a one-time compensation of Rs 1,00,000. The compensation amount will be Rs 50,000 for those whose shops were partially gutted,” the Chief Minister said.

New shops to be built following fire safety norms

The West Bengal CM visited the area on Monday afternoon and assured local residents and shopkeepers that the state government will support in setting up new shops for those affected, which will follow fire safety norms. She also directed the city police to cordon the gutted marketplace by raising barricades around it.

Till the time alternative and permanent arrangements would be made, shop owners would be provided with temporary spaces for setting up their shops during that interim period, the CM stated.

Over 1300 shops burnt in massive fire at Kolkata’s Khidirpur market

Over 1300 shops were destroyed in a massive fire early on Monday in Kolkata’s Khidirpur market area. The fire broke out around 1 am on Monday. More than 20 fire tenders brought the blaze under control. According to the fire department, various shops, including rice godowns, have been destroyed.

There are several oil godowns and warehouses/shops having combustible goods in that area which caused the fire to spread at a rapid pace, informed the local residents and shopkeepers. Also, the area is congested, which made dousing the fire even more difficult and it kept burning in several pockets till Monday morning.

“Fortunately, the fire broke out at a time when there were hardly any people in the market area. Had the fire broken out in the daytime, there could have been several casualties. However, we fear that the value of the loss of property and assets because of the fire is huge,” a fire department official told media.

West Bengal Minister of Fire and Emergency Services, Sujit Bose, visited the spot on Monday morning and assured all necessary help. The minister further alleged that several shops in the area have been set up illegally without permission of the municipality, and neither do they follow fire safety norms, which has made the area congested and dousing the flames difficult.