A mysterious fire broke out late Thursday night at the Maharajganj vegetable market in the heart of the capital, leaving six shops gutted and raising serious concerns about safety and preparedness in Agartala’s major trading hubs.

The incident occurred between 11 PM and midnight, amid heavy rain, catching local traders completely off guard.

According to eyewitnesses, thick smoke and flames were spotted suddenly, prompting an immediate alert to the Maharajganj Fire Station. Firefighters arrived promptly, but their efforts were hampered by the narrow lanes of the congested market area. As the blaze intensified, reinforcements were called in from Agartala and Badharghat Fire Stations. A total of three fire engines battled the flames for nearly an hour before bringing the situation under control.

Despite the quick response, six shops suffered extensive damage. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or casualties.

On Friday morning, Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Deputy Mayor Monika Das Dutta and local Councilor Ratna Dutta visited the scene and spoke to affected traders. They confirmed that the cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.

“It is very unfortunate that none of the affected shops had insurance coverage,” said Deputy Mayor Das Dutta. “We will ensure administrative cooperation to support the traders, but we urge all shopkeepers to follow safety guidelines and secure insurance to avoid such devastating losses in the future.”

The incident has once again exposed a critical gap in Agartala’s market infrastructure—lack of insurance among traders