MillenniumPost
Bengal

Future uncertain for Bowbazar's jewellery hub

Kolkata: The jewellery industry in Bowbazar stares at an uncertain future, after being badly hit due to the effect of the damage caused by the tunnel boring work of East-West Metro.

The All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) will prepare a list of the artisans who have been hit due to its impact and will submit it to Kolkata Metro Railway Corporation Ltd (KMRCL), seeking compensation.

"The jewellery shops are located on the main stretch of B B Ganguly Street but the workshops of the artisans associated with these shops are located in and around Durga Pithuri Lane, Syakra Para Lane and Gour De Lane that have been affected badly. 350 such artisans working in 85 workshops located in this area are now at a complete loss as they have been asked not to go and work in the workshops," said Bablu De, working president of Swarna Silpa Bachao Committee.

De said that during the Pujas there is usually brisk business for the jewellery shops and the workshops in the area are abuzz with activities.

"The papers of transaction and other documents of orders and even raw materials for the manufacture of jewellery are lying trapped in several workshops and the shops are being unable to cater to the orders given by customers," pointed out Tagar Poddar, general secretary of Bangiya Swarnashilpi Samity.

Initially, when the collapse of the houses was reported, 36 shops on B B Ganguly Street were closed by the administration citing safety concerns. The matter was taken up with the top brass of Kolkata Police, Mayor Firhad Hakim and MLA Tapas Roy, who is also a resident of Bowbazar and after some days, the shops were allowed to open.

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