Narrow Lanes, Tangled Wires, No Hydrants Major Issues
Purohit Ji Ka Katla and Badi Choupar market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Jaipur: The fire at Purohit Ji Ka Katla has raised concerns among traders in other markets in the Walled City, where narrow lanes, encroachments, tangled wires and inadequate fire safety arrangements could make it difficult to respond to an emergency.
Purohit Ji Ka Katla and Badi Choupar market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Lal Ji Sand Ka Rasta, a major wedding-shopping market, has no visible fire hydrants in its narrow lanes. During the wedding season, goods are often displayed beyond shop premises, leaving little space for pedestrians. Even two-wheelers entering the lanes can lead to congestion. Deeper inside, tangled overhead wires and alleged illegal power connections add to concerns.Ready-made garment trader Satyanarayan Agarwal said the Katla fire had left traders worried. “We admit it was our mistake that we did not keep fire extinguishers in our shops. But the Jaipur Municipal Corporation has also not conducted any inspection in all these years,” he said. “After the incident, the civic body should install fire safety systems in these lanes at the earliest.”
Ghee Walon Ka Rasta market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Manish Gupta, who has run a garment shop here for 25 years, said encroachments could worsen the situation during a fire. “Both the govt and traders need to work together. Encroachments should be removed and we should also take responsibility for our own safety,” he said, adding that some shop power connections were overhead and had not been shifted underground.At Maniharon Ka Rasta, known for its lac bangles, coal and lac work continues despite the absence of fire safety systems.
Lalji Saand Ka Rasta market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Mohammad Noman, who has been making lac bangles for 75 years, said, “Lac is not such an inflammable material, but it can be a little dangerous if directly exposed to fire. Minor fires had occurred several times, mostly because of sparks from wires,” and added that the situation had become so routine that traders had grown accustomed to it. “The fire at the Katla is worrying. We feel fire safety systems should be installed across the Walled City.”
Lalji Saand Ka Rasta market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Bapu Bazaar, a major tourist market, also has encroachments in shop verandahs, while e-rickshaws and illegal parking further narrow the main roads.Vicky Chelani, president of the Bapu Bazaar traders’ association, said, “It is true that shopkeepers have not kept fire safety systems in their shops. As for encroachments, that is the responsibility of the government and the civic body. We have complained to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation several times, but they have never taken action.”
Nehru Bazaar market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Dulha Road market faces similar problems, with tangled wires, open transformers, congested roads and encroachments. Aditya Khinchi, who has run a garment shop there for 20 years, said a fire safety system installed five years ago had effectively become unusable. “The pipes were never installed, and the system itself was damaged months ago after being hit by vehicles. We have never even seen a civic team here. It feels like the govt will pay attention only after a fire breaks out here too.”
Bapu Bazaar market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
Meanwhile, a senior town planner who was part of Heritage Cell of JMC Heritage questioned the coordination behind the installation of fire hydrants in the Walled City in 2023. “As a town planner managing the Walled City, it is our responsibility to advise and have a clear knowledge of the locations of such hydrants. But we were never consulted. Nor did the department share any details of these hydrants with us,” the planner said.
Bapu Bazaar market in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 19 September 2026
