Kolkata: As the monsoon rains return, so do the plastic sheets that cover hawker stalls across Kolkata’s bustling markets, igniting concerns about potential fire hazards. Vendors in key areas such as Gariahat, Hatibagan, Canning Street, Brabourne Road, College Street, and New Market have once again resorted to using large plastic sheets to protect their goods and themselves from the rain. While these sheets offer immediate relief, they pose significant fire risks, alarming traders and market committees alike.
Historically, plastic covers have been implicated in several devastating fires. In September 2019, a fire originating from a hawker’s stall at Bagri Market caused extensive damage, destroying goods and property worth several hundred crores. Earlier that year, another fire at a hawker’s stall in Gariahat severely damaged the building housing the Traders’ Assembly and the Adi Dhakeswari Bastralaya stores.
“These plastic sheets pose a big fire risk to our businesses. At night, hawkers keep them hanging, and a small spark can turn into an inferno. There have been several such instances in the past. We would want the administration to be more vigilant in areas where this is happening,” said the secretary of a market committee in Canning Street.
According to existing laws, using plastic to cover stalls is illegal due to the fire hazards it presents. Despite periodic drives by the civic body following major fires, enforcement tends to wane, and plastic sheets reappear within days. The persistent issue highlights a gap in regulatory oversight and enforcement.
A union leader in New Market, expressed frustration over the government’s inability to find a sustainable solution, which leaves hawkers with little choice but to use plastic sheets. “The government has failed to resolve this issue, which forces the hawkers to use plastic sheets. The KMC had promised to make stalls for hawkers, but not much progress has been made on the issue,” he said.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had previously banned hawkers from using plastic sheets on pavements following several fire incidents. However, the return of these sheets indicates that alternative protective measures for vendors have not been adequately implemented.
As monsoon rains persist, the urgent need for a long-term solution becomes increasingly apparent. Both hawkers and traders are calling for immediate action to mitigate fire risks while providing adequate protection against the elements. Enhanced vigilance by authorities and the fulfilment of promises made to hawkers could help prevent future tragedies and ensure safer market environments for all stakeholders.
