Kolkata's Heritage Choked by Encroachments, Fire Risk Grows

Kolkata's sacred spaces are increasingly threatened by illegal encroachments, a problem starkly highlighted by a recent inferno on Ezra Street. This fire not only destroyed property and a historic 186-year-old agiary but also exposed the chronic civic issue of unchecked construction and hawker stalls surrounding places of worship and heritage buildings.

From Brabourne Road to Burrabazar, revered sites like the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary and Nakhoda Mosque are now entangled in a web of makeshift stalls, haphazard parking, and packed godowns. Firefighting efforts at the Ezra Street agiary were severely hampered by these obstructions, including overhead wires and illegally parked vehicles, revealing a long-ignored danger.

Local residents and devotees voice concerns that the administration has neglected these escalating safety risks for years. The situation persists despite occasional clearing drives, with temporary relief followed by a return to clogged approaches. Authorities acknowledge the need for businessmen to also ensure fire safety, suggesting a sustained effort is crucial to protect Kolkata's vulnerable heritage.