Encroachments Return Soon After Clearance! Bhopal's New Market Sees 3 Fire Drills, 2 Truckloads Of Goods Seized

Bhopal's New Market experienced three fire drills on Wednesday, revealing that encroachments persist despite recent clearance efforts. The municipal corporation conducted the drills to evaluate emergency preparedness for fire tenders following a fire at a chhole-bhature eatery on October 8, which damaged five shops. During the drills, approximately two truckloads of goods were seized as part of an anti-encroachment drive.

Fire tenders arrived at the scene within five minutes, and the drills continued until 5:45 pm to assess response times during peak market hours. The October 8 incident reignited a dispute between traders and the civic body over fire brigade response times and encroachments. Every time the BMC clears encroachments and conducts a drill, the situation reverts to its previous state.

Fire officer Saurabh Patel and encroachment in-charge Shailendra Bhadauria had to navigate around obstructed access routes as goods were placed outside several shops even after clearance. Patel stated that the drill aimed to educate traders about emergency preparedness. The BMC plans to conduct regular mock drills at random times to ensure preparedness.

Additionally, the civic body has begun relocating street vendors to Haat Bazaar area near TT Nagar Stadium. Patrol teams will monitor the market throughout the day, warning shopkeepers against placing goods outside their premises, and yellow boundary lines will be marked to define shop limits and maintain clear access routes.