Authorities in Kolkata have initiated a major crackdown following a fire incident at a cylinder warehouse in Kankurgachhi. The police have launched a manhunt for the owners of the facility, while the fire department has filed a formal complaint citing severe safety failures.
City Authorities Swing Into Action
On Friday, the Kolkata Police began an intensive search for the individuals responsible for owning and operating the Kankurgachhi cylinder godown. This move came concurrently with the fire department registering a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR explicitly points to gross irregularities and a complete absence of adequate fire safety measures at the storage site.
Kolkata Mayor, Firhad Hakim, weighed in strongly on the matter. He stated that if the warehouse was found to be operating without the necessary valid permissions, the fire department must take stringent action against the proprietors. "There are clear rules for running such facilities. Action must follow any violation," Hakim asserted, underscoring the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards safety breaches.
Multi-Agency Investigation Underway
The police investigation has made significant headway in identifying multiple persons connected to the ownership and daily operations of the warehouse. However, no arrests have been made so far. A forensic team was deployed to the scene to collect crucial samples for analysis, which will aid in determining the exact cause and circumstances of the fire.
In a coordinated effort, the police have formally queried the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the fire department. They are seeking clarity on several critical points:
- Whether the godown had permission to operate in a densely populated residential area.
- If it possessed a valid trade licence or certificate of enlistment.
- Whether the KMC had ever conducted a mandatory safety audit of the premises.
The KMC has confirmed it is carrying out its own parallel checks to verify the documentation and compliance status of the establishment. This multi-pronged probe aims to uncover the full extent of regulatory lapses and fix accountability.
Broader Implications for Urban Safety
This incident has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the perennial issue of illegal and unsafe commercial operations within residential neighborhoods of Indian cities. The manhunt for the owners signals a potentially tougher stance by authorities against those flouting safety norms. The outcome of this investigation is likely to set a precedent for how similar violations are handled in the future, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of fire safety protocols, especially for high-risk businesses like LPG cylinder storage.
