After a massive fire destroyed over 40 shops at Unit-I Haat in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Mayor Sulochana Das on Tuesday squarely blamed shopkeepers for the incident, citing repeated violations of fire safety norms and municipal regulations. The blaze triggered emotional appeals from affected traders, who demanded compensation from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
However, the Mayor maintained that the civic body had issued several warnings well in advance, all of which were ignored. She said the BMC had consistently raised safety concerns at the congested market but failed to receive cooperation from vendors.
Speaking to the media, Mayor Das said Unit-I Market had long posed serious safety risks due to unauthorised practices. She revealed that shopkeepers were repeatedly asked to vacate the area and were offered relocation to Bhagabanpur, but eviction efforts were met with resistance. “The existing layout of the market is extremely congested and dangerous,” she said.
The Mayor further alleged that traders continued to add stalls illegally and ignored advisories against unsafe electrical practices. Many shops, she said, relied on unauthorised power connections and illegal extensions, while warnings against selling inflammable items went unheeded.
On compensation, Mayor Das clarified that the BMC could not offer financial relief as shopkeepers had failed to opt for insurance coverage despite being given the option. She added that the civic body would approach the state government to seek basic relief for the affected traders.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana said public safety would remain the priority while safeguarding livelihoods. He announced a fresh eviction drive and confirmed that a Detailed Project Report for fire prevention, including the installation of fire hydrants, had already been prepared. Funds have been sanctioned, and the project will be implemented soon. Fire safety systems will also be installed in older market areas, while plans to relocate traders to Bhagabanpur will move forward after necessary approvals.
