Kolkata, Aug 18 (IANS) The Birbhum District Administration in West Bengal has ordered the closure of 15 hotels adjacent to the iconic Goddess Tara Temple at Tarapith for an indefinite period following the devastating fire at one such hotel, Bideshini, on Monday, which has claimed nine lives so far.
The district administration issued the notice soon after police arrested the hotel’s main owner, Probit Paul, earlier in the day.
On Monday, police also arrested his son and co‑owner, Kalyan Paul.
After the fire, questions were raised about whether mushrooming hotels near the temple had adequate fire safety arrangements.
Residents alleged that not just Bideshini, but most of the hotels and lodges that had come up in recent years lacked proper fire safety measures.
The district administration subsequently conducted random checks at several hotels and lodges in the temple‑adjacent area.
Based on the findings, 15 hotels were found to lack adequate fire safety arrangements and alternate exit routes for safe evacuation in emergencies.
A district administrative official said strict legal measures would be taken against hotel authorities that fail to ensure fire safety facilities and alternate exit routes.
“Safety of the thousands of pilgrims coming to this holy town every day is the topmost priority,” the official added.
Rampurhat Sub‑Divisional Officer Rathod Ashwin Babu Singh, under whose jurisdiction Tarapith falls, told media persons that earlier on Monday the administration had issued closure notices to eight other hotels.
“Today, we have issued notices to 15 other hotel authorities. Keeping in mind the festive season ahead, we are going to arrange training for the managers and staff of every hotel in Tarapith for safety,” he said.
–IANS
src/dan
