Raju Bista, the BJP MP of Darjeeling, visited Bidhan Market in Siliguri on Monday, where some shops were damaged in a fire that broke out on September 28.

During his visit, the MP announced financial assistance for the affected traders and funds for constructing a water reservoir on market premises.

Located in the heart of the city, Bidhan Market is the largest retail hub in Siliguri and has over 1,600 shops.

The blaze that occurred due to a suspected electrical short circuit completely gutted eight shops and partially damaged 15 other shops.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for owners of the eight shops and Rs 50,000 for the remaining 15 shops. Following her instructions, Gautam Deb, the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, handed over the compensation to them and is also extending help in rebuilding the shops.

Bista, who was accompanied by Shankar Ghosh, his party MLA in Siliguri, and other party leaders, said: “I will provide Rs 50,000 to each affected shop owner. Also, out of my MPLAD fund, a sum of Rs 10 lakhs would be allotted to build a water reservoir in the market.”

After the blaze, the shop owners demanded a water reservoir in the area to handle emergencies like fire.

“It is a huge market where people from across north Bengal and even from neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh visit every day. However, the infrastructure in the market is poor. It is disappointing that the facilities here have not been developed for years,” said the MP.

He also urged the state to provide ownership to the shop owners and said that the state should provide more financial assistance to the affected shop owners.

“The chief minister should provide at least 50 per cent of the loss which each of these shop owners have suffered in the fire,” he said.

Bapi Saha, the secretary of Bidhan Market Byabsayee Samiti, welcomed the MP’s announcements.

“The fire broke out just ahead of Durga Puja. All those who have faced the loss had brought in extra goods for their shops as sales increase ahead of the festivities. We thank the MP for his assistance and also formeeting our longstanding demand for a water reservoir,” said Saha.