Kolkata: Bagree Market in Burrabazar, where the fire turned on for more than 100 hours three years ago and left a block with 200-plus shops and offices that were rotated, had undergone a makeover and now using new white-and-blue facades.
All Rs 20 Crore spent on renovation has been contributed by the owner of 1,022 shops, offices and warehouses on the market.
From this, Rs 15 Crore is spent reconstructing one block.
While the entire market was changed and opened for business on April 25, 2019, working on a block, where concrete had issued pillars and beams after exposure to extreme heat for days, took place on July 17, 2019.
The section was reconstructed with extensive hallways , new elevators and bathrooms were arranged for inaugurated on August 17.
The 23-month reshuffle of the severe damaged part of the market faced by Canning Street was supervised by engineers from IIT Roorkee and was executed by a special company from Baroda.
“Inferno September 2018 has destroyed the block completely and damaged the entire market.
But we collect resources and decide to write turnover.
We are now set to reveal new blocks that look like some malls,” said Asutosh Singh, President of the Association Browse the Market.
The fresh layer of paint received by the Bagree Market for the first time in decades made it stand out in a group of dilapidated and slum buildings in the region.
But there are more than just external makeovers.
Inside, the market has undergone a thorough change with the corridor cleaned and false ceiling is broken down.
Bright lights and fire detection and battle gadgets have been installed.
“There is a separate electrical panel for various floors full of modern firefighting systems.
The new elevator has been installed, which will operate in a few days.
There are separate bathrooms for men and women with special settings for senior citizens,” Singh said.
In the months that followed the flames, the experts from Roorkee examined damage, conducted a test and crashed into the repair plan.
While extreme heat has caused concrete to take off, the steel connection used in column construction and beam remains intact.
“High-quality Belgian steel used during construction in the 1960s had survived heat.
So, all the concrete was stripped together with the wall.
Then the steel jacket was carried out and repairs were carried out with micro-concrete 10 times stronger than reinforced cement concrete which is usually used , “A engineer who oversees the improvement.
“We not only install advanced fire safety equipment and change all power cables, but new SOPs have been put in place to ensure no encroachment in the corridor.
We have employed two firefighters and two electric drivers to ensure compliance at any time and fulfill excendation,” said Member of the Core Committee of the Vasanandan Girish Market Association.