A massive fire in Kolkata’s Khidirpur gutted 1,300 shops, sparking a political row in West Bengal. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged government negligence and conspiracy, while the state refuted claims. The fire has exposed deeper tensions around land use, emergency response, and political accountability.
A devastating fire that swept through Khidirpur’s bustling market area in south Kolkata early Monday morning has not only left over 1,300 shops in ruins but also ignited a fierce political battle in West Bengal. Although no casualties have been reported, the financial loss is estimated to run into several crores of rupees, severely affecting hundreds of local traders who now face an uncertain future.
What began as a tragic incident has quickly escalated into a political controversy, with the opposition alleging government negligence and even conspiracy. On Tuesday, the matter took center stage both on the ground and in the Assembly, with accusations and counterclaims flying thick and fast.
Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, visited the site on Tuesday afternoon and strongly criticized the state administration. Speaking directly to the devastated shopkeepers, Adhikari alleged that the fire services department delayed its response intentionally, allowing the entire market to be reduced to ashes.
“The fire broke out around 1 a.m., and both the local police station and the fire services were informed immediately. Yet, fire tenders reportedly arrived only by 4 a.m. This delay cannot be accidental. It looks like a well-orchestrated plan,” Adhikari said. He further alleged that the fire could be part of a broader conspiracy by a so-called “land mafia” to forcefully vacate and acquire the valuable land.
Adhikari didn’t stop there. He accused the state government of facilitating land grabs by private entities under the guise of urban development. “They sold Alipore Central Jail land, they sold parts of Alipore Zoo, and now they want to take over your market too. Soon you’ll find malls and beauty parlours here instead of your stalls,” he claimed, adding that traders had been falsely promised an alternative market space.
Several affected traders echoed Adhikari’s concerns, particularly regarding the delay in emergency response. Many said that had the fire services arrived in time, a significant portion of the damage could have been prevented. “We lost everything. If the fire brigade had come earlier, maybe some of our shops could have been saved,” said one distressed shop owner.
In response, the state government swiftly rejected all allegations. Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose addressed the issue on the floor of the West Bengal Assembly during the monsoon session on Tuesday.
“Our control room received the first emergency call at 2:05 a.m., and fire tenders were dispatched immediately,” Bose clarified. “There was no delay in the response, and I personally reached the site by 6 a.m. along with other senior officials. We took every possible step to contain the fire.”
Bose also denied claims about resource shortages, saying, “There was no shortage of water or fuel. We even arranged to draw water from a nearby stream of the Ganges to fight the fire more effectively.”
The minister condemned attempts to politicize the tragedy, emphasizing the bravery and dedication of the state’s firefighters. “Our firefighters risk their lives just like armed forces personnel. It is unfair to malign their reputation for political gains,” he added.
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With the opposition vowing to raise the issue in the coming days, the Khidirpur fire has become more than just a disaster—it has turned into a symbol of larger political and developmental fault lines in the state. As shopkeepers sift through the remains of their livelihoods, they are caught between political accusations and administrative assurances, uncertain about what lies ahead.
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the incident has already ignited a much broader debate over governance, transparency, and the handling of public land in urban West Bengal.
