Kolkata, Sept. 8 -- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has ordered the closure of 919 hotels and guest houses following a citywide inspection drive launched in the aftermath of the Hotel Shikha Inn fire, which claimed nine lives, including five Bangladeshi nationals.
Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Smita Pandey said on Tuesday that the civic body had so far inspected 960 establishments out of more than 3000 hotels and guest houses holding licences issued by the corporation. Only 41 of the inspected premises were found compliant with the required norms.
The sweeping action follows the deadly blaze at Hotel Shikha Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street in the New Market area in August. The fire raised fresh questions over fire-safety arrangements and the manner in which residential properties were being converted into commercial accommodation.
According to civic officials, the absence of mandatory fire-safety compliance was a major reason behind the closure notices. The corporation has, however, decided to provide compliant establishments an opportunity to rectify deficiencies.
Owners of buildings that were originally residential but were subsequently converted into guest houses by partitioning rooms will not be eligible for reconsideration, officials said.
The civic body has cited the potential risk to occupants arising from such unauthorised changes in the nature of the premises.
At the same time, hearings involving non-compliant commercial establishments will continue. Pandey said around 10-11 applications had already been received from establishments seeking consideration by the corporation.
The administrator said fire safety would remain a non-negotiable requirement as the KMC scrutinises guest houses and hotels across the city.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier expressed condolences over the deaths in the hotel fire and directed the authorities to provide free, advanced treatment to those injured in the incident.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.