221 Hotels Shut Down in Kolkata in Two Days, Thousands of Bangladeshis in Trouble

Authorities in Kolkata have ordered the closure of 221 hotels and nine restaurants in the New Market area within just 48 hours. The crackdown over inadequate fire safety measures has left thousands of Bangladeshi tourists struggling to find accommodation.

The action followed a devastating fire at the Shikha Inn hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street, which killed at least nine people. Authorities have since intensified inspections of hotels across the area.

Hotels lacking fire licences, safety audits, fire alarms and emergency exits have been ordered to shut down. Electricity connections to some hotels have also been disconnected for violating safety rules.

Around 11,000 Bangladeshi tourists are currently staying in Kolkata, with nearly 7,000 of them in the New Market area. Many have been forced to leave their hotels and search for alternative accommodation, while some are preparing to return home earlier than planned.

With demand for rooms rising, rents at some hotels have reportedly increased by 1.5 to two times.

Authorities say the crackdown will continue and no compromise will be made on tourists’ safety.