Nayamati: A commercial hub at risk of fire hazards

UNB, Narayanganj :

Nayamati, a key commercial hub in Narayanganj city, is marked by its narrow lanes, making it difficult for four-wheeled vehicles to navigate. Despite this, the area sees the annual trade of hosiery products worth hundreds of crores. However, these businesses, collectively valued in the thousands of crores, face significant fire hazards.
A ground visit revealed that the entire area is ensnared in a tangle of electrical wires. In some spots, the clutter is so thick that the sky is barely visible from the streets. Locals report frequent fires caused by short circuits in these wires, which are typically extinguished using water from buildings on either side. However, in this bustling commercial zone, where every building is packed with fabric, chemicals, and thread, fire service vehicles are unable to reach the scene.
“If a major fire were to occur in this area, no one knows how to handle it,” said a hosiery businessman. On October 7 at 11pm, a severe fire erupted in Narayanganj’s Kali Bazar area caused by an electrical short circuit, resulting in the destruction of 40 shops. Since that incident.