The Bengal election has adversely affected trade in Dhanbad at a time when traders are already reeling under the impact of Covid affected downturn.
The transport of goods from Bengal to Dhanbad has been hit due to apprehensions of seizure of vehicles for security checks by police and administration.
Trade in coal town is largely dependent on the wholesale purchase of a wide variety of products ranging from foodgrains, garments to footwear from Calcutta.
Traders, who travel back and forth from Calcutta on the Black Diamond Express and Coalfield Express, are also desisting from visiting the city due to rallies and political programmes.
Property worth more than Rs 50 lakh was gutted in a fire that took place in a well-known computer shop of Dhanbad on Wednesday night. The incident came to light at the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday at around 12.30 am and the fire was completely extinguished at around 3.30 am.
The incident happened in Jhaharia Computers situated in Bank More area less than three km away from the Dhanbad district headquarters.
Neighbours who first noticed the smoke coming out of the shop informed the shop owner, Vikash Jhajharia. He informed Prabhat Surolia, President of Bank More Chamber of Commerce, who called the Bank More police station and district fire service at around 1.38 am.