West Bengal plans new industrial policy and investigates major fires

West Bengal is preparing to announce a new industrial policy by mid-September aimed at making landowners direct stakeholders in industrial projects. To prevent land acquisition disputes similar to those seen in Singur and Nandigram, the policy may offer landowners employment for a family member or opportunities to run ancillary businesses, such as catering, tailoring, or transport services, to support major industrial units.

In separate news, a major fire at a car showroom in Madhyamgram near Kolkata destroyed approximately 30 vehicles. Firefighters took several hours to control the blaze, which occurred in the early hours of Monday. Officials noted the showroom lacked an internal fire safety system.

Meanwhile, investigations continue following a fatal fire at the Hotel Shikha Inn in Kolkata that killed nine people. Bireswar Mitra, the hotel owner, has been arrested by a Special Investigation Team after being located at his residence in Behala. His lessee, Abu Zafar, was previously taken into custody. Following this incident, the state fire services department has launched inspections of hotels, lodges, and guesthouses in several strategic areas of Kolkata, including near Sealdah and Howrah stations and the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, due to concerns over inadequate fire safety compliance.