The death of 14 people in a devastating fire at Rituraj Hotel in Burrabazar has once again laid bare Kolkata’s chronic failure to rein in illegal constructions and enforce fire safety regulations.
In a strong statement on Wednesday, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim vowed to demolish all unauthorized structures linked to the hotel and hold those responsible accountable. “This was an avoidable tragedy. The hotel’s owner violated multiple fire safety norms and civic construction codes,” Hakim said, following a joint inspection by fire department officials, police, and civic authorities. “No guilty party will be spared. We have begun a full investigation into how this building operated with such blatant disregard for safety.” Sources within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s buildings department revealed that a separate inquiry is underway to examine whether past inspection protocols were followed and whether officers overlooked unauthorized constructions despite Burrabazar being categorized as a “red zone” for civic risks. The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about Burrabazar—a densely packed commercial quarter notorious for lawlessness, aggressive illegal construction, and open defiance of civic orders. KMC officials admitted that the area remains the most difficult to regulate, with several past attempts to intervene reportedly thwarted by local intimidation.
“Accessing buildings in the Burrabazar-Rabindra Sarani belt is often impossible without facing threats. The enforcement environment here is hostile,” said a senior KMC official. “Last year, one of our officers was chased out of the area after trying to stop a rogue construction. The nexus between powerful developers and local muscle continues to erode governance.” Despite being marked for heightened scrutiny, Burrabazar has seen hundreds of residential structures quietly converted into commercial properties—without civic clearance or fire safety infrastructure. These include warehouses, small hotels, and retail godowns often operating in complete violation of basic safety norms. Experts say the disaster at Rituraj Hotel is far from an isolated case. “Burrabazar has seen repeated fire incidents over the years, costing lives and wiping out livelihoods. Each time, officials make promises, but the enforcement fades as the flames do,” said Abhijit Gupta, a former divisional officer at the state fire services. Kolkata’s urban vulnerability is not restricted to Burrabazar. Similar zones flagged for irregular construction include the Garden Reach-Metiabruz belt, Tiljala-Topsia, Rajabazar, and segments of the EM Bypass. However, officials maintain that Burrabazar presents the highest threat level due to its density, unregulated conversions, and civic defiance. While Hakim’s stern response signals a turning point, civic activists remain skeptical.
“Unless there’s a consistent and apolitical enforcement mechanism, tragedies like this will repeat,” said a retired town planner. “We must rebuild not just structures, but public trust in civic safety.” As Kolkata mourns yet another fire-fuelled tragedy, the Mayor’s pledge to clean up Burrabazar may determine whether the city can truly prioritize life over illegal profit.
