HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Feb 19: ‘Tezpur Chowk Bazar’, standing as a nerve center for trade and commerce for the people of the northern belt over the years, tragically collapsed after it was gutted in a devastating fire in 2021, leaving many businessmen in an awkward condition. While discussing the historic Tezpur Chowk Bazar, it would perhaps be apt to mention that it is one of the heritage markets of the region, with a unique structure acknowledged even by outsiders.
The heritage ‘Tezpur Chowk Bazar’ was the sole source of livelihood for thousands of shopkeepers and their families. However, at midnight on May 9, 2021, the whole market area suddenly became a fireball due to a devastating fire that broke out following an electrical short circuit, burning everyone’s hearts, including the shopkeepers, leaving them in unlimited woe. Everything turned to ashes before their eyes. Sadly, even a shopkeeper who suffered from high blood pressure died just after this incident.
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Meanwhile, besides the government, some NGOs came forward as samaritans to extend their helping hand, taking immediate steps to provide every possible financial help and relief to the victims. Though the government, during that jeopardy, tried to provide respite with a compensation of Rs 25,000 to over 200 shopkeepers, they wanted a lasting solution ensuring the security of their age-old way of livelihood.
However, as a mark of a positive gesture, the government also started a transit market complex for the victims, which was stopped for some reasons, leaving the fateful shopkeepers in a dilemma. At this critical juncture, bringing a ray of hope for the shopkeepers, the government is planning to rebuild the historic Chowk Bazar with a modern structure, starting from February 25 this year. Just ahead of the work, under the supervision of Housing and Urban Development minister, Government of Assam, Ashok Singhal, a team of administrative officers and engineers led by district commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra is taking stock of the status of the entire project. A temporary market shed is arranged at Dhubapukhuri parking area for the shopkeepers, who will run their business there until the reconstruction of the Chowk Bazar is completed. Already, half of the businessmen have reset their business in this area. A couple of days back, the district commissioner visited the new market area and interacted with the businessmen, assuring them that by February 2025, the maximum portion of the Chowk Bazar would be completed, enabling them to shift their businesses back to their original place gradually.
He also mentioned that after resolving this issue, the Dhubapukhuri area, which until a few months back was a major parking place for vehicles, would be turned into a multi-storied parking place, thereby curbing the growing traffic snarl in the town.
