Panic strikes Bangladeshi tourists as they leave Kolkata, leaving hotel owners deeply concerned.

Panic strikes Bangladeshi tourists as they leave Kolkata, leaving hotel owners deeply concerned.

A disastrous fire at Hotel Shikha Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata's "hotel hub" near New Market claimed the lives of nine people, including seven Bangladeshi nationals. The incident has triggered profound anger and fear among local residents, business owners, and tourists alike. Gripped by severe panic, many Bangladeshi tourists are hastily leaving their hotels to return home, casting hotel owners into intense worry.

This famous "hotel hub" of Kolkata comprises Free School Street (Mirza Ghalib Street), Sudden Street, Marquis Street, and Lindsay Street, all adjacent to New Market. It is a very familiar destination for Bangladeshi visitors. However, extreme administrative negligence and illegal operations are being blamed directly for the recent fatal fire. Illegal hotels and guesthouses proliferate in this area. Driven by higher profits, residential homeowners have converted their properties fully or partially into commercial lodgings.

Allegations suggest that officials from the municipal corporation, fire brigade, and electricity department turn a blind eye to these irregularities in exchange for money. Notably, the headquarters of the West Bengal Fire Services is located right next to the building where the fire occurred, highlighting that such establishments could not operate without administrative backing. Many of these hotels lack valid licenses altogether. In some cases, as many as ten small hotels or guesthouses operate out of a single five-story building, where rooms are split into tiny cubicles using internal partitions.

The administration has finally been jolted into action following the tragedy. Last Thursday, flowers were laid in front of the affected hotel to pay respects to the victims. The municipal corporation, fire department, and power utility have begun taking a strict stance. An investigation committee has been formed to thoroughly probe the legitimacy of the hotels and guesthouses across the locality. This sudden administrative crackdown has now left owners of unauthorized hotels severely anxious.