Published on: May 13, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Kolkata, India
In the bustling lanes of Tiljala, Kolkata, a fire broke out on May 12, 2026, in a multi-storey building housing what appeared to be a leather goods unit or godown. The blaze claimed the lives of two workers due to asphyxiation, while three others sustained serious injuries. Nearly 30 workers were reportedly present at the time, highlighting the human cost of yet another preventable urban disaster.
Women and Child Welfare Minister Agnimitra Paul visited the site and did not mince words. “It’s a completely illegal building. It has not been given NOC, no fire license, no trade license,” she stated. She drew a direct parallel to past lapses, referencing the devastating January 2026 fire at the Wow! Momo warehouse in the Anandapur area (near Kasba), where a massive blaze in adjoining godowns killed around 25 people, with many more feared dead or missing initially. That incident too involved safety violations, locked workers, and questions over permissions.
Paul pointed fingers at the previous administration: “It is strange that these kinds of buildings were prospering in the tenure of the past Government… We have seen ‘Wow! Momo’ factory. Same thing, covering up waterbodies and allowing godowns to take place over there. 30 of our brothers were murdered.” She specifically questioned permissions linked to figures like former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim.
A Pattern of Neglect
Kolkata and its suburbs have long grappled with unauthorized constructions, encroachments on water bodies, and commercial units operating without basic fire safety or structural clearances. The Wow! Momo tragedy earlier in 2026 had already exposed these systemic failures—warehouses filled with inflammable materials, inadequate exits, and workers reportedly trapped inside. Political accusations flew thick and fast at the time, with opposition leaders blaming corruption and lax enforcement.
The Tiljala incident, though smaller in scale, underscores that the problem persists. Preliminary reports confirm the building lacked approved plans, proper electrical systems, and fire safety measures.
Swift Action Under New Leadership
In a strong response, the new West Bengal government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered a high-level probe, FIRs, and immediate steps against illegal structures. Minister Paul announced that her department would issue notices starting the next day to all corporations and municipalities to identify and act against similar non-compliant buildings. Authorities have initiated demolition drives, power and water cutoffs, and arrests of owners in the Tiljala case.
CM Adhikari emphasized zero tolerance: “This will not continue now. The government will do whatever is necessary legally. Consider this the first and last such incident.”
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A Call for Accountability
As investigations continue into the exact cause of the Tiljala fire, the incidents serve as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences when profit trumps safety. Families mourn lost loved ones—often migrant workers seeking livelihoods in the city—while authorities promise stricter enforcement.
For Kolkata’s dense urban sprawl, the message is clear: Illegal encroachments and fire-trap buildings can no longer be overlooked. The coming days will test whether systemic change follows these promises, ensuring that “never again” becomes more than just political rhetoric. The lives already lost demand nothing less.
