Just a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s city inspection tour, a major fire tore through a commercial complex in the Mechhua area, adjacent to Kolkata’s iconic Park Street, exposing systemic flaws in civic oversight and regulatory enforcement. The blaze, which started on Thursday afternoon, reignited conversations around building safety, outdated fire infrastructure, and unmonitored renovations in high-density zones.
The Incident: Rapid Spread, Delayed Response
At 3:20 PM, smoke began to pour out from the top of Park Centre, a mixed-use commercial property housing dozens of businesses, including law offices, coaching centres, and textile showrooms. The fire reportedly began in a rooftop kitchen area under renovation—unauthorized and allegedly operating without municipal clearance.
Within minutes, the upper floors were engulfed in flames. Emergency services arrived swiftly with 10 fire engines, yet were slowed by congested streets and a lack of proper access points. Though there were no fatalities, 13 people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Many others lost valuable equipment, records, and inventory.
“This could have easily turned into another Stephen Court tragedy,” said one firefighter, referencing the 2010 blaze that claimed 43 lives in a nearby commercial building.
No Permits, No Safety Plan
Initial findings by Kolkata Fire and Emergency Services reveal a host of violations:
- No fire license renewal in over 18 months
- Blocked stairwells and exit routes
- Faulty wiring exposed due to unauthorized renovations
- Fire extinguishers missing or expired
The building’s rooftop renovations were neither declared to the fire department nor approved by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). “It was an accident waiting to happen,” said Chief Fire Officer Sujit Bose. “No precaution was taken despite ongoing work involving electricity and gas.”
A Day After CM’s Visit: Optics vs Reality
The timing has drawn considerable attention—just hours before the fire, CM Banerjee had been reviewing civic cleanliness and traffic flow in the Central Business District. Her visit was widely publicized and portrayed as part of a push for urban reform.
Critics argue the inspection ignored deeper, structural issues. “The CM focused on potholes and public gardens but missed glaring problems inside buildings,” said social activist Soumi Roy. “It’s cosmetic governance—sweeping before the CM visits, then ignoring everything else.”
Opposition leaders also chimed in. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, “This fire exposes the government’s lack of seriousness. A walk through the area is not the same as ensuring regulatory compliance.”
Businesses Bear the Brunt
Several businesses within the Park Centre building have been completely gutted. Many more are now indefinitely closed due to smoke and water damage. Arvind Daga, who runs a garment export firm from the third floor, says they lost everything.
“My inventory, files, machines—nothing could be saved. We were doing peak-season work. This will set us back months, maybe years,” he said, visibly shaken.
Office workers recounted panic and confusion during evacuation. “There was no alarm, no evacuation protocol. People screamed and ran. We had no guidance,” said Farheen K., a marketing executive.
Civic Body Scrambles
In the wake of mounting criticism, KMC officials announced an emergency review of commercial buildings in the Mechhua-Park Street belt. The fire services have been instructed to issue mandatory show-cause notices to all structures without up-to-date fire clearances.
Mayor Firhad Hakim told the media: “We will not tolerate negligence. All buildings found in violation will face action, including sealing or demolition of illegal floors.”
However, long-time residents are skeptical. “Every time there’s a disaster, they promise change. But enforcement fades within weeks,” said Debabrata Sinha, a local shop owner.
Longstanding Systemic Issues
Kolkata’s central commercial zones are filled with colonial-era buildings repurposed over time for modern business needs. Many now house multiplex offices, retail spaces, and even kitchens—all within structures not designed for such density.
“There’s little oversight of what happens inside these buildings,” said Arpita Basu, an architect who specializes in urban safety. “Renovations are done hastily, often by unlicensed contractors, and civic authorities are either unaware or indifferent.”
The result? A dangerous cocktail of outdated wiring, haphazard construction, and nonexistent fire protocols.
A Call for Change
Following this fire, there is renewed pressure on the state government and KMC to:
- Digitize fire safety audits and make them public
- Enforce stricter penalties for unauthorized renovations
- Mandate quarterly fire drills for all commercial buildings
- Ensure CM-level inspections include structural safety checks
Experts also urge collaboration between urban planners, fire departments, and civil engineers. “This cannot be left to individual departments. Safety must be city policy,” said Professor Ranjan Mukherjee, an urban governance expert.
Conclusion
The Mechhua fire may have spared lives, but it burned through Kolkata’s illusion of safety and control. The city stands at a crossroads—either it implements real structural reform, or it braces for yet another predictable disaster. The people who work in and rely on buildings like Park Centre deserve more than apologies—they deserve a city that protects them.
