Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Bhopal Markets Still Lack Working Fire Hydrants After Decade
Two busy markets in Bhopal do not have working systems that let firefighters quickly get water.
The systems were planned or installed about 10 years ago, but one project stalled and the other was never tested and became clogged.
A fire at New Market on Thursday damaged five shops and caused an estimated Rs 3 crore in losses.
Firefighters were delayed because gates were locked and roads were obstructed.
It took nearly three hours to put out the fire.
Many firefighters, fire tenders and water tankers were used.
A city official says the Chowk Bazaar system will be made operational soon.
The corporation will also consider fire hydrants for other markets.
New Market and Chowk Bazaar have lacked functional fire hydrant systems despite projects initiated about 10 years ago.
A fire in New Market on Thursday gutted five shops and caused estimated losses of Rs 3 crore.
Fire crews faced a roughly 35-minute delay reaching the blaze because locked gates and road encroachments blocked access.
The fire took nearly three hours to control, using 43 fire tenders, 15 water tankers and 55 firefighters.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation says it will work to restore the Chowk Bazaar system and consider hydrants in other markets.
- Who
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation, firefighters and businesses in New Market and Chowk Bazaar.
- What
- Two market areas lack functioning fire hydrants; a New Market fire gutted five shops.
- When
- The fire broke out around 2:45 pm on Thursday; the hydrant projects date back about 10 years.
- Where
- New Market and Chowk Bazaar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- New Market's project stalled between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and Smart City administration; the Chowk Bazaar system was not tested and reportedly became clogged through poor maintenance.
Hydrant project status
Official response
Chowk Bazaar system
Hydrant project status
The article reports that the system has never been tested, is non-functional and is reportedly clogged with garbage.
Official response
Bhopal Municipal Corporation additional commissioner Tanmay V Sharma said the system would be made operational soon.
New Market system
Hydrant project status
The hydrant proposal remained stuck between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and Smart City administration.
Official response
The fire department is considering renewed efforts to install the system.
- New Market fire damage
- Five shops gutted; estimated losses of Rs 3 crore.
- Fire start
- Around 2:45 pm on Thursday, at a Chhole-Bhature shop.
- Access delay
- Fire tenders took around 35 minutes to gain access due to locked gates and road encroachments.
- Fire response
- 43 fire tenders, 15 water tankers and 55 firefighters; the blaze was controlled after nearly three hours.
- New Market hydrant proposal
- Planned by Bhopal Municipal Corporation about 10 years ago at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh; it remained stalled.
- Chowk Bazaar hydrants
- Installed by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation water works department for Rs 22 lakh about a decade ago; never tested and now non-functional.
- Official commitment
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation additional commissioner Tanmay V Sharma said the Chowk Bazaar system would be made operational soon.