Agartala, 26 Dec 2025: Panic gripped the Shibnagar College Road area of Agartala today after a severe fire, accompanied by multiple explosions, broke out at Abhigyan Marriage Hall, triggering chaos among local residents and commuters. Thick plumes of smoke were visible from a considerable distance, while loud explosion-like sounds caused fear and confusion in the densely populated locality.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly within the premises, reportedly fueled by decorative materials and possible electrical overload. Timely information to the Fire and Emergency Services and swift intervention by fire tenders prevented the blaze from escalating further. Officials and locals alike said that a catastrophe of unimaginable scale was narrowly avoided, as the marriage hall is capable of accommodating over 1,000 people during peak events.
Firefighters worked for several hours to bring the situation under control. No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report, though some individuals were treated for shock and minor injuries.
Serious questions have now been raised regarding fire safety compliance at the marriage hall. Local residents and civic activists alleged that Abhigyan Marriage Hall was operating without a valid fire safety clearance, a claim that authorities are yet to officially confirm. If proven true, this would constitute a grave violation of safety norms, especially given the building’s large public capacity and its location in a congested urban area.
The incident has also ignited a political controversy. Opposition voices alleged that the owner of the marriage hall has links with the ruling party, and questioned whether such affiliations led to regulatory lapses or leniency in enforcement. No official statement has been issued so far either by the owner or by the ruling party regarding these allegations.
Residents are demanding a high-level inquiry into how the establishment was allowed to function allegedly without mandatory fire licenses and safety audits. “If this fire had occurred during a large wedding function, we would have seen over a thousand deaths today,” said a local resident, expressing anger and fear.
The incident has once again highlighted serious concerns over public safety, regulatory enforcement, and accountability in urban Agartala, with citizens calling for strict action to prevent such near-misses from turning into mass tragedies in the future.
