Howrah Municipal Corporation ordered 78 hotels and restaurants closed and sealed before Durga Puja after a month-long inspection found alleged violations involving fire safety, building permissions, trade licences, electricity compliance, property mutation and tax payments. Restaurant owners said the action could affect thousands of workers and sought a delay until after the festival; the municipality said it was instructed to act beforehand.

A special committee of fire and emergency services, CESC, municipal licensing, health and building departments, and police inspected premises in three teams around Shalimar station, Kona Expressway near Santragachi station, Howrah station, Howrah Maidan and Foreshore Road. The state government ordered district-wide checks after fires at hotels in Tarapith, Birbhum, and Kolkata’s New Market.

Officials found fire-prevention systems that were present but non-functional, alleged unauthorised building changes and hotels converted from homes. Some premises reportedly exceeded approved plans, including buildings approved for two floors but built to four. Howrah station, Foreshore Road and Howrah Maidan had many allegedly unauthorised hotels; Santragachi was also highlighted. The municipality cited poor departmental coordination for delayed enforcement. The report did not name the establishments or specify sealing dates or opportunities to rectify violations.