Bhubaneswar, October 23: In response to a recent fire incident and ensuing controversy at the Unit 1 Haat and Market, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to introduce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations and prevent further issues at the city's major haats and markets.

The BMC will conduct formal elections to form haat committees, with officials overseeing the process, and extend group insurance coverage to all shopkeepers. Additionally, the corporation will enforce stricter regulations to prevent traders from occupying roads or using ropes inside the haat premises.

The recent fire at Unit 1 Haat resulted in significant damage, with over 30 shops destroyed. The incident sparked debates over the possibility of communal tensions behind the blaze.

To address the damage, the BMC is planning a Rs 186 crore modernization project for the Unit 1 market. Efforts are also underway to offer financial assistance to affected shopkeepers, sourced from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) and the BMC’s own resources.