KOLKATA: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) may allow traders of Bagri Market into section of the building that is still usable after the 82-hour blaze. But such a call will only be made if structural engineers say parts of the fire-ravaged market is safe. The decision was taken after mayor Sovon Chatterjee met Bagri Market traders at the
KMC headquarters on Tuesday.
The meeting came close on the heels of a
rally that the traders had taken out on Monday to press their demand. Bagri Market central Kolkata Traders Welfare Association secretary Debabrata Das said a sizable section of traders had suffered huge losses after fire gutted their wares and the closure thereafter continued to compound the loss. “Hundreds of traders are struggling to compensate for the loss of goods. They want to reopen their shops as early as possible before the festive season. If the civic authorities do not allow that, it will be difficult to make ends meet,” Das said.
Chatterjee gave a patient hearing but did not commit to reopening the market just yet. Sources said he explained his position to the traders about the need for the civic authority to ensure that the building was safe and did not cause a further mishap.
“After a fire has ravaged a building for over 82 hours, it becomes imperative for KMC to conduct a structural stability test. It is for the safety of traders and customers. Only then can traders be allowed in,” said a KMC official who was present in the meeting. Traders have been told that they could also get a structural survey done by experts if they wish so.
According to an official of the KMC building department, the civic body would have to invite an engineering consultancy firm to determine the stability of Bagri Market. “We do not mind if traders engage a qualified structural engineer to assess the building. On our part, we will ask a consultancy firm to study the building,” he said.
