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

“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.

A massive fire in Dilli Haat reduced shops to rubble (Express photo)

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 The Indian Express 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.

Fire fighters trying to douse fire inside Dilli Haat in New Delhi on Wednesday (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

“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.