Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul has announced strict action against illegal hotels in the state. Hotels found violating rules will now be sealed directly without issuing repeated notices.
Minister Agnimitra Paul inspected several hotels in the Marquis Street area on Saturday. She stated that issuing notices repeatedly is ineffective. If guests are currently staying at the hotel, a 24-hour time limit will be given, after which the hotel will be sealed if rules are violated. Hotels can reopen later only if all documents are found to be correct.
This decision follows a recent fire incident at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata that caused the deaths of nine people. Following the incident, the fire department sealed 16 hotels in the Dharmatala area and issued show-cause notices to 25 other hotels. The minister questioned how illegal hotel businesses operated for such a long time and stated that corruption and bribes will no longer be tolerated to bypass rules.
