Kolkata: A major fire broke out at the bustling Poddar Court commercial complexat Rabindra Sarani in central Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an immediate evacuation of around 250 office employees, workers, and shopkeepers across all its four floors. No casualties were reported in the incident.The blaze, which started around 12.05 pm in an electronics store on the ground floor close to Gate 3 (the main gate), quickly spread through the building, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Seven fire engines were deployed to combat the flames in the office district, which houses numerous businesses and employs hundreds of people.“We noticed smoke coming from one of the electronics shops and immediately alerted authorities,” said Rajesh Kumar, a local shop owner. “The situation could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the quick response of emergency services.”The fire brigade and DMG teams used smoke exhaust pipes to drain out the intense smoke amidst fears of it travelling upwards like Mechhua a few days earlier. The fire emergency equipment also worked, helping the fire brigade to control the fire in around two hours. No one was found trapped inside.Fire officials suspect a short circuit in an air conditioning unit may have triggered the fire. “Initial investigations point to an electrical malfunction, but a detailed investigation will follow once the situation is fully under control,” said a fire department officer. “The evacuation was completed within minutes,” said a senior cop, adding that traffic in front of the building was not affected much. Kolkata: A major fire broke out at the bustling Poddar Court commercial complexat Rabindra Sarani in central Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an immediate evacuation of around 250 office employees, workers, and shopkeepers across all its four floors. No casualties were reported in the incident.The blaze, which started around 12.05 pm in an electronics store on the ground floor close to Gate 3 (the main gate), quickly spread through the building, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Seven fire engines were deployed to combat the flames in the office district, which houses numerous businesses and employs hundreds of people.“We noticed smoke coming from one of the electronics shops and immediately alerted authorities,” said Rajesh Kumar, a local shop owner. “The situation could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the quick response of emergency services.”The fire brigade and DMG teams used smoke exhaust pipes to drain out the intense smoke amidst fears of it travelling upwards like Mechhua a few days earlier. The fire emergency equipment also worked, helping the fire brigade to control the fire in around two hours. No one was found trapped inside.Fire officials suspect a short circuit in an air conditioning unit may have triggered the fire. “Initial investigations point to an electrical malfunction, but a detailed investigation will follow once the situation is fully under control,” said a fire department officer. “The evacuation was completed within minutes,” said a senior cop, adding that traffic in front of the building was not affected much.

NTPL contract workers staging a novel protest in Thoothukudi on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: RAJESH N

The strike by the NLC Tamil Nadu Power Limited (NTPL) contract workers in Thoothukudi entered the 20th day and they staged a novel demonstration on Wednesday.

The workers have been on strike since, night of April 17, 2025 demanding the implementation of Madras High Court order which states that they must be given a salary hike similar to that granted to contract workers at Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC).

Despite seven rounds of negotiations involving NLC management, NTPL administration, the Labour Welfare Department and trade unions no amicable resolution has been reached.

Due to the ongoing strike, power generation at Unit II, with the generation capacity 500 MW has been completely halted. Unit I is currently producing only about 250 MW, which is half of its total capacity. Union representatives warned that if the strike continues, unit I may also be forced to shut down.

Under these circumstances, Minister of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment P. Geetha Jeevan visited the striking contract workers on Wednesday and held discussions with them. “I have appealed to the NTPL management to take appropriate steps to resolve the strike and a favorable outcome is anticipated soon,” she said.

The protest was led by S. Appadurai, Zonal President of Central Organisation of Electricity Employees (CITU), CITU District President Pechimuthu and representatives from other unions were present at the protest.