NEW DELHI, Nov 6: Following a major fire at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged the Delhi government to strengthen fire safety arrangements across the capital’s crowded commercial areas and establish a Rs 100-crore relief fund for traders affected by such incidents.
In a letter to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the traders’ organisation called for the immediate creation of a ‘Traders’ Fire Disaster Fund’ to provide financial assistance to small business owners whose shops and livelihoods are destroyed in fire accidents.
The demand came after a fire broke out at a mobile accessories shop in Chain Wali Gali of Gaffar Market on Friday morning, coinciding with Dhanteras celebrations.
As many as 22 fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze. However, narrow access lanes and heavy festive crowds created difficulties for emergency vehicles attempting to reach the affected location, according to the CTI.
With Diwali approaching, the incident has renewed concerns over inadequate emergency preparedness in Delhi’s densely populated marketplaces, where heavy customer footfall and commercial activity increase fire-related risks.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said such incidents occur frequently in the capital’s markets around Diwali, but affected traders often receive little immediate support despite official investigations being ordered.
Emphasising the need for practical measures rather than inquiries alone, Goyal said the organisation had placed two major demands before the Delhi government.
The first involves deploying fire tenders, water bowsers and trained firefighting personnel on a 24-hour standby basis at 20 prominent commercial markets until November 11, the occasion of Bhai Dooj.
The proposed locations include Karol Bagh, Gaffar Market, Sadar Bazaar, Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Gandhi Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Rajouri Garden, South Extension, Connaught Place, Khan Market, Khari Baoli, Chawri Bazaar and Naya Bazaar.
Goyal argued that emergency vehicles should remain stationed near busy commercial centres during the festive period instead of waiting for incidents to occur before responding.
He compared the proposed arrangement with the deployment of police personnel during VIP movements, saying similar priority should be given to protecting commercial establishments and public safety during major festivals.
The traders’ body has additionally requested the authorities to keep at least one lane in each identified market free of obstructions until Diwali and Bhai Dooj. The designated routes would allow fire engines and ambulances to reach emergency locations without being delayed by traffic congestion or roadside encroachments.
The second major proposal concerns the establishment of a Rs 100-crore ‘Traders’ Fire Disaster Fund’ to support businesses suffering losses in fire-related accidents.
Under the proposed arrangement, small traders would be eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh or an interest-free loan, with support delivered within seven days of an incident.
The CTI has suggested that assistance should be approved on the basis of an assessment report prepared by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), without making traders wait for an FIR, a formal fire department report or insurance-related documentation.
It has also demanded that emergency financial assistance be released within 48 hours when fires occur during important commercial periods, particularly Diwali, when businesses experience substantial customer activity and maintain higher stocks.
Goyal said traders who lose their shops in fire incidents frequently face the destruction of their entire source of income. Their families, employees and financial commitments are also affected, making immediate government support essential.
He stressed that financial assistance should be provided through a simplified process so that small business owners can resume operations without facing lengthy administrative procedures.
The Gaffar Market incident has once again highlighted the challenges of managing emergencies in Delhi’s older commercial neighbourhoods. Several markets have narrow streets, closely packed shops, extensive electrical installations and heavy pedestrian movement, making firefighting operations particularly difficult.
During the festive season, the situation becomes more complicated as increased shopping activity leads to congestion in already crowded areas. Delivery vehicles, parked cars and roadside stalls can further restrict access for emergency services.
The presence of electrical equipment, charging accessories, decorative lighting and other combustible materials in commercial establishments can also contribute to the rapid spread of fires if adequate precautions are not followed.
The traders’ organisation believes that maintaining firefighting teams near vulnerable locations would significantly reduce response times and help prevent smaller incidents from developing into major disasters.
Keeping dedicated emergency corridors open would also improve access for ambulances and other rescue services, ensuring that both property and human lives receive immediate protection.
The proposed relief fund, meanwhile, is intended to address the financial difficulties faced by small traders who may not have adequate insurance coverage or sufficient savings to recover from major losses.
For many shopkeepers, particularly those operating small establishments, a fire can result in the loss of merchandise, equipment, business records and the infrastructure required to continue commercial activities.
The CTI has therefore urged the Delhi government to consider both demands as urgent measures rather than limiting its response to post-incident inspections and investigations.
The organisation has called for a coordinated arrangement involving the fire department, local administration, police and market associations to ensure that emergency services remain accessible throughout the festive period.
It has also emphasised that timely intervention can prevent extensive damage and reduce the economic impact of fire accidents on small businesses.
With Diwali and Bhai Dooj approaching, traders have sought immediate government action to strengthen preparedness across the capital’s major commercial centres and provide a safety net for businesses affected by unexpected disasters.
The demands come at a crucial time for Delhi’s trading community, which is preparing for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.