‘Took us 35 years to build everything… all turned to rubble now’: Shop owners after fire at Dilli Haat

“Everything we earned has turned to rubble”, a man told Law and Justice Minister Kapil Mishra, as he arrived in the aftermath of the fire that broke out at Dilli Haat on Wednesday night.

Officials estimate that around 25 to 30 stalls of different states caught fire. While no casualties or injuries were reported, shopkeepers claimed that they lost articles worth crores.

“It took us 35 years to build everything… 35 years is a long long time. Everything we earned has turned into rubble,” a shopkeeper told Mishra.

Another shopkeeper who refused to be named said, “My brother and I owned a chandi and pashmina shop. We have lost items worth around Rs 50 lakh.”

“I have lost saris worth Rs 26 lakh… my life has been ruined,” said Mohammed Taiyyab, a shopkeeper.

Shopkeeper Ajaj Hussain told that Lucknowi Chikankari articles, among others, worth Rs 95 lakh were gutted in the fire. “Our shop had pure lehengas… not even a thread remains… Allah ka shukar hai koi mara nahi (By God’s grace, no one died),” he added.

“Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officials came 45 minutes after the blaze started… their station is just three minutes away. Their phone was unreachable at times,” his brother alleged.

“Everyone will get compensation. This is our responsibility,” Mishra told the crowd. “(Delhi CM) Rekha Gupta Ji has sent me here. Whoever has suffered any loss will get another chance to stand up on their feet. Stay tension-free,” he added.

“Step 1 would be to give compensation to everyone who suffered. Step 2 would be to not leave those who caused this incident,” said Mishra. “I will come again to see you all in a day or two…I salute your bravery,” he added.