Florence Mansion
Kolkata: Nearly 90 days after a fire at Florence Mansion on Free School Street claimed nine lives, nine businesses have moved Calcutta High Court and written to authorities seeking permission to return to the building, which remains sealed. Saraf filed a case in the HC on Sept 17. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata Stay updated with the latest Kolkata news.
Govind Saraf, who runs four businesses in different sectors like clothing and medical from two units on the third floor of the building, said he was not even given an hour to get essential documents out after the incident. I am bleeding losses,” he said. He said he was ready to comply with all fire-safety requirements and install any equipment necessary, but had not received any response from the authorities. “If we are never to function from there again, we should be told that. On Oct 7, the HC allowed advocate Niladri Bhattacharjee to operate his law firm from the first floor between 9 am and 10 pm “at his own risk” as an interim measure.
“Though my godown is elsewhere, I cannot conduct my businesses. Deliveries are pending. I have missed both the Durga Puja and Diwali markets. “It is as if our fate has been locked by someone. The case does not come up for hearing. Then the state should provide us with an alternative location. Where do I go now? What about my livelihood?,” he added. Eight other businesses have also approached the HC, but none has been allowed to re-enter the premises. Justice Krishna Rao, however, clarified that the order would not be treated as a precedent for other businesses operating from the building. Bhattacharjee was asked to install an automatic fire-detection alarm system, an adequate number of portable fire extinguishers and a detector with a response indicator for the false ceiling, and to ensure natural ventilation and alternative exits. An inspection following the court’s order found that the building did not comply with fire-safety regulations and did not have a fire-safety certificate. Download the TOI App.
A vacation bench heard the matter on Monday, but nothing happened and another date has been fixed,” he said.