A fire broke out at Howrah’s Mangla Haat early on Friday, destroying hundreds of shops.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee went to the 81-year-old market from the July 21 rally venue and spoke to the traders. She assured the traders of rehabilitation.
Some traders alleged the fire, which broke out around 12.30am, was an act of sabotage.
As many as 18 fire tenders worked for over seven hours to control the blaze.
Senior officials in the fire and emergency services department said the market lacked basic firefighting measures.
“Traders will have to collect a licence from the fire services department to operate out of this market,” Mamata said.
The chief minister said if it is found that the land belongs to the state, the government will build a market at the site.
“If the land is not under the state government’s ownership, then it can be brought under it. And if it is a private property, an alternative site near the Santragachhi bypass can be identified for constructing a new market,” the chief minister said, while speaking to a section of traders near the Howrah station complex.
The traders said they wanted to stay at the present location.
With a section of garment traders alleging sabotage, Mamata said the CID will conduct an inquiry to find out the cause of the fire with help from the Howrah Police Commissionerate.
She also said a committee made of a representative each of the fire and emergency services department, disaster management department, police and the district magistrate will look into the ownership details of the land.
“The livelihood of so many people is at stake. There should not be repeated incidents of fire at this place,” the chief minister said.