Bhopal Municipal Corporation Launches Anti-Encroachment Drive After New Market Fire
Two days after a major fire at Bhopal's New Market exposed difficulties in emergency access, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation launched a significant anti-encroachment operation on Saturday, October 10. The drive cleared footpaths and market lanes, with officials confiscating four truckloads of goods. Operations began at 10:30 am with public announcements requesting voluntary removal of encroachments, followed by enforcement teams at 3:30 pm who removed stalls, counters, hanging displays and temporary structures until 8:30 pm.
The action was triggered by a massive fire at Balaji Chhole-Bhature on October 8 that engulfed five shops and over 12 street-vendor stalls, causing losses worth crores. Encroachments and roadside stalls had significantly obstructed fire-tender access, raising serious questions about emergency preparedness in the crowded market area.
During the drive, municipal officials inspected fire-fighting equipment at food establishments and expressed concern over eateries operating furnaces for extended hours. The corporation imposed fines totalling Rs 13,000, including Rs 10,000 on Heera Namkeen for furnace operation and littering, Rs 2,000 on a fast-food stall, and Rs 1,000 on other violators.
