Yellow Char Ultimate
Yellow Char Ultimate
One Month Hence rises from the ashes Nandaram: The Slaughter of Burrabazar
It's been a month since the worst fire in living memory gutted the Trade Burrabazar in Kolkata. But the signs of devastation are still manifested at every step. The charred remains of the Nandaram complex in the area of a universal testimony to the fact that nothing in this world is permanent. However, as the phoenix, Nandaram complex has risen from its ashes, and is walking toward starting a fresh episode of business and livelihood.
Last month, when the fire demon had unleashed its fury on the trade center in the heart of the metropolis, had taken India News its readers on a journey inside the complex, until the thirteenth floor, giving a lucid picture of the devastated building. A month after the first fire broke out in the area, there are reports of India visited Nandaram complex again, and decided to do a reality check on the state of affairs in what happens to be the largest shopping area of Kolkata and as lapses by the administration.
The facts we find are impressive, and reveal the extent of deterioration of the once beloved 'City Joy "has experienced, thanks to the relaxed state management.
For anyone who has never visited Kolkata, the charm of old world the Burrabazar seems strange. The scene in the trade center - millions of people passing by bumpy dirt tracks, daily wage earners around with heavy loads on their heads, auto rickshaws, hand-pulled rickshaws, motorcycles, bicycles, cows and dogs along with a horde of pedestrians, peddlers and merchants, dilapidated buildings and shops claustrophobic - could prove unsettling to many. But Kolkatans, the true spirit of shopping is in Burrabazar. Can take on trips sudden, someone brave may encounter after each step, and may even brave suffocated. But they can not do without shopping Burrabazar, which sells everything you can imagine, wholesale prices.
So exactly one month ago, saw the same scene every day in Nandaram complex. Now, the complex resembles more like a ghost house in a horror movie. By visiting the complex, one is filled with a sense of shock and fear, tinged with a heavy dose of sadness. The yellow walls have become carbon black, and barred windows, now lies like holes in the walls bare.
Inside the building, there is darkness, as electricity has been disconnected. The shops are still in a damaged state, collapsed with blinds, charred walls and property burned. Although much of the debris has been removed, on each floor inside the building, the fire has left an indelible mark.
The elevator in the building is out of order, and traders and workers are in constant motion along the stairs, which are lit by the sun peeked through the windows. A police picket was placed on the fifth floor, more Beyond that no one - including the media - is allowed to go. He says India is news that the building is extremely dangerous, and therefore the floors above the fifth floor are locked in the public eye. Large portions of the building are being thrown from upper floors after the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (KMC) has approved the order of demolition of dangerous parts of the building.
And amid all this chaos, the business has already begun in the lower floors. Although the goods have been destroyed, and almost no takers, traders who have lost everything in the fire, are trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and move forward. The same old scene of traffic congestion, hodgepodge of people, the sound of horns mingled with the shouts of traders and hawkers have returned to Nandaram adjacent areas. But you still feel something is missing. It's the old spirit of Nandaram complex, which is now enveloped in an eerie silence.
The bloody spectacle that greets anyone passing by in Burrabazar Nandaram complex area of central Kolkata, is enough to make one of your stomach turn and moisten eyes. The market, operating in full swing until a month ago, has now been reduced to a pile of bricks, rubble and debris of the goods that were looted from the devastating fire that engulfed the compound on 12 January, and kept rearing its ugly head for more than 100 hours.
The fire has been bathed, but the pain and burn scars remains - in the building, which has forgotten its trademark yellow, and used a sooty in the area adjacent to the complex, has a sinister look, although the activity had returned to near normal, and in the hearts of traders who fell from riches to rags in less than a week
Nandaram On a recent visit to the market, there is news from India met with many facts, which primarily reflect the relaxed attitude of the administration. Perhaps, the fire could have been avoided, or perhaps controlled, the administration had been more alert! Perhaps the damage would not have gone so far, if the government realized the consequences of a disaster in an area like Burrabazar.
After the recent fire, the administration has been claiming that the building - from the sixth floor to the twelfth floor - is illegal. Talking to Headlines India, SK Chowdhury, Secretary of Nandaram Market Traders' Welfare Association, accepted that higher plants are illegal, but at the same time, the administration alleged to be negligent and claimed that it was the administration that did nothing to demolish the "illegal" structure.
Chowdhury said: "In 1988, the Supreme Court had declared the seven floors of the building illegally. We have accepted the order honorable court, and after that, we appealed to the authorities many times to demolish the illegal parts of buildings. They arrived a couple of times, but in the instance, the argument that the structure was solid, and we agreed the demolition was postponed. Then, after some years, again asked demolish the upper floors, but never paid any attention. Then, last month, the inevitable happened and see what state is in the building now. "
Chowdhury added: "Now, when a massive fire has gutted the building, and a big question has been put on the safety of the markets in Burrabazar, are trying to cover up their negligence by saying that the building was constructed illegally. We agree that the building is illegal, but then again, are to blame for not doing anything illegal establishment. Forget about the demolition, the authorities have even been collecting taxes from us. And to top it off, we have issued trade certificates, and move through these licenses. "
SG Toshniwal, a merchant who has lost two of its stores in the fire Burrabazar also have similar complaints against the authorities. He told News India: "All of us in this area operate through trade licenses valid. The certificates have been issued by the authorities, so how can say Burrabazar markets are illegal? We are even paying taxes, but when it comes to getting some support of them, we get nothing. "
Perplexed in the collection of taxes and business licensing by the authorities of an establishment called "illegal" News of India acquired a set of business licenses and tax collection documents from Chowdhury. It was found that the license and other documents are authentic and valid, and to our surprise, the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (KMC) had collected taxes for the shops, even to the end of 2007, that is, a Just over a month before the fire!
BD Mimani, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Textile Industry, Kolkata, believes that this does not end here. Also of failures by the administration, Mimani is discouraged by the lack of empathy that the authorities have for people who have lost almost a lifetime of sweat and blood in the fire. Expressing disappointment to Headlines India, said, "We've been hearing that people affected will get compensation, but nothing happens so far. In fact, in the last 20 years I have been associated with companies in Burrabazar, I do not remember people even come to see how they are working. "
Explaining the problems traders face in Burrabazar, Mimani said: "The buildings are old, not many modern equipment to combat disasters. On the other hand, we face problems of electricity, water and other infrastructure. But no body cares to think from our perspective. They just say that our facilities are illegal, and they would be demolished. We are ready even for that. In fact, it will be a positive change for all of us. But not even do anything to create new structures. "
Having heard all the complaints and problems Burrabazar traders, a reporter for News of India was to meet Dipankar Dey, Member Mayor-in-Council, Buildings and License. After much reluctance, Dey agreed to talk with us. When asked about complaints from traders shrugged off saying Dey raising taxes or by issuing the license has nothing to do with an establishment may be illegal. "We offer commercial licenses for anyone possession of the space and want to start a business. And the media have a space that will have to pay the tax. All this has nothing to do with a building that is legal or illegal, " Dey said.
When asked about the failure of KMC to demolish the building after it was outlawed in 1988, Dey said: "We there a couple of times to demolish the building. But we were attacked by the merchants and their friends. So there we go again. We have now issued orders to demolish the upper floors and work is underway. "So after being attacked by the merchants of Burrabazar, KMC officials did file all reports of the police? Dipankar Dey had no answer. He avoided the question, and went in a hurry.
So what is happening in the fire ravaged Burrabazar now? Traders have begun to believe in the saying that "Self help is the" better aid, and are now struggling to build back their shattered lives. The 693 tenants Nandaram complex formed Nandaram Market Disaster Management Welfare Committee, and are helping each other in every possible way. They have also formed a Central Committee named Burrabazar Fire Assistance Committee, which consists of various associations, to extend relief to the affected people.
Meanwhile, administration has also formed a central committee, composed of police, the department of electricity, fire and MMC. The commission has ordered the demolition Nandaram complex portions of the insecure. Its long-term plans are not yet known, but all traders expect at least this time, something that would be done to make address their problems.
For more interesting articles from this author and for more news from India visit http://www.headlinesindia.com/
About the Author
Divya Pathak is a Reporter with http://www.headlinesindia.com working out of New Delhi. She has over five years of experience working for news dailies in the country.
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