Jammu: The PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for a special financial package from the Centre and the Union territory government for traders affected by the fire in Jammu’s Nehru Market warehouse area, saying the losses could run into Rs 200-300 crore.
Several shops were gutted in the fire on Sunday night at the historic market, one of the oldest commercial hubs of Jammu, known for its wholesale trade in foodgrains and other essential commodities, in the Bikram Chowk area. The fire reportedly originated in one of the shops and spread rapidly to adjoining establishments, with the presence of large quantities of edible oil adding to the intensity of the blaze.
“I estimate the losses to be at least Rs 200-300 crore, as the warehouse area is one of the main commercial hubs of Jammu,” she told reporters at the party headquarters here.
She said that the central and the Jammu and Kashmir governments should jointly formulate a plan or special package to help revive these markets, including Shiv Market and Warehouse, so that traders can restart their businesses.
“I appeal to the governments, without any politics, to extend all possible assistance to these traders so that they can restart their businesses and support their families,” she said.
The former CM said many traders had established their businesses by taking loans and selling family jewellery and expressed concern that insurance might not be sufficient to compensate for the losses.
“I do not know how such massive losses will be compensated. People start businesses by taking loans and even selling their family jewellery. Not everyone has insurance, and even where insurance exists, it may not be sufficient to cover losses of this magnitude”, she said.
Earlier in the day, she visited the fire-affected area and described it as a horrifying experience. She said Diwali had turned into a dark and terrifying night for the traders, and said adequate arrangements should have been made at markets during the festive season, keeping in view the possibility of fire incidents.
“These are ordinary people, not big businessmen…” she had said.
During the press conference at the party headquarters, Mufti also referred to the fire incident at Shiva railway market on October 25. She said the affected traders were still awaiting government assistance and urged the authorities to ensure that those hit by the latest blaze received timely support.
Mufti also raised concerns over the firefighting arrangements, alleging that fire tenders arrived late and that the initial vehicles were inadequate to deal with a fire of such magnitude. She further claimed that insufficient water pressure in the firefighting pipes affected the response.
The PDP chief said the damage had affected not only shopkeepers but also workers employed in these establishments. She pointed out that around 10 to 12 people worked in some shops and had lost their livelihoods following the incident.
“Jammu is already facing high unemployment. The people working in these shops have also become unemployed, and their families depend on their earnings,” she said.
The fire at Nehru Market warehouse is the second major fire incident in Jammu in a little over a fortnight, resulting in the gutting of two major marketplaces in the winter capital.
A massive fire broke out at Shiv Market on the night of October 25 and continued till the morning of October 26, engulfing at least 40 shops and destroying property worth crores of rupees.
