Bishkek’s Madina market reopens a week after fire

Bishkek’s Madina market has reopened one week after a major fire, even though traders say the site is still not ready for full-scale work and has no electricity.

Market administrators had urged entrepreneurs to wait another week. The traders refused and insisted that business resume. “The sellers did not agree with the administration’s proposal and said that we need to work. That is why the market opened, although there is still no electricity. Of course, it is difficult, but it is better than sitting and waiting,” entrepreneur Asel said.

Another trader, who did not give his name, also said the conditions for normal trading had not been created. The administration, however, said the market was operating as usual. It said workers were cleaning and washing the grounds, while repairs were being carried out in the evenings. The administration rejected claims that the market was not fully operating and directed traders seeking compensation to its management.

The fire broke out on the morning of August 30. All of Bishkek’s fire engines took part in extinguishing it. The blaze covered about 1,500 square meters and damaged more than 50 trading containers. Two emergency workers suffered injuries while fighting the fire. Officials initially identified a short circuit in the electrical wiring as the possible cause and promised help for affected entrepreneurs.

The reopening comes amid an earlier dispute over the market’s planned reconstruction. Some shops and food outlets were demolished in late June, and traders were told to close their outlets and stop working from August 1. The closure was later postponed, giving businesses more time to move to the new Ala-Too market, with three months of concessions promised. Traders have repeatedly protested, saying rents and the purchase of trading spaces at Ala-Too are too expensive. Authorities have said the fire was unrelated to the reconstruction dispute.

“

The sellers did not agree with the administration’s proposal and said that we need to work. That is why the market opened, although there is still no electricity. Of course, it is difficult, but it is better than sitting and waiting.