Most of the goods here are sold without an invoice, hence claiming insurance for the merchandise lost in the fire, seems a distant dream.
Even after 24 hours, 20 fire tenders of the Delhi Fire Services failed to extinguish the major fire that broke out in the electronics market at the Bhagirath Palace in Chandni Chowk on Dec 13, at 5.10 pm.
Although no casualties have been reported so far, the incident opens up an old issue of poor infrastructure in this market.
Due to narrow and congested roads, it took almost 20-30 minutes for the fire tenders to reach the spot.
“The fire has still not been extinguished completely even after 24 hours as the Delhi Fire Services rescue team is not well equipped,” Dinesh Mittal, general secretary, Delhi Electronics Traders Association (DETA), told Electronics Bazaar, exclusively. “The rescue team staff is not adequately equipped with the basic amenities like masks, fire proof uniforms, or even ladders. Hence, they are unable to get into the building. This is sheer negligence on part of the authorities,” he adds. DETA plans to take up this issue with the authorities.
Dinesh Mittal, however, could not throw much light on the losses that have taken place. “It can only be evaluated once the fire is put off. Those who have insured their goods can definitely claim for insurance,” he says.
However, according to Vikas Minocha, trader, Cosmic Devices, whose shop is located at Bhagirath Palace market, the estimated loss can go up to millions. “Every shop stores almosr Rs 2.5 million worth of goods,” he says.
With Chandni Chowk housing one of the flourishing grey markets of electronics, it is a concern as to how the shopkeepers will be compensated. “Most of the goods here are sold without an invoice, hence claiming an insurance for these goods seems a distant dream,” says Manish Kwatra, managing director, Metro Electronic Products, whose shop is located at Lala Lajpath Rai market at Chandni Chowk.
Bhagirath Palace market, one of the city’s oldest electronics market at Central Delhi’s congested Chandni Chowk area houses some ramshackled buildings in which hundreds of small shops selling lighting products are located. Fire has engulfed one of these buildings which houses about 70 shops. The fire first broke out in a godown in this building which has now engulfed all 70 shops in the building.
According to Manish Kwatra, these incidents are very frequent at Chandni Chowk. “Its only because this incident happened on a larger scale, it got reported. Traders of Chandni Chowk have now become resilient to such incidents,” he adds.
Despite its historical relevance, Chandni Chowk still has 200 year old infrastructure, which leads to traffic snarls and lack of parking spaces. The parking problem causes huge losses to the traders, as lack of space to park cars, keeps many customers away from the market. Choked drainage system, shortage of water, ill-maintained roads and lack of public conveniences are some other issues faced by the traders here.
“Electricity wires and phone lines are all entangled. Any moment short circuits can take place. There are no emergency exits, no fire extinguishers, and no other safety measures in the market. Despite our regular complains, the authorities do not give a lending ear to our problems,” complains Vikas Minocha.
—By Richa Chakravarty
