Asia's largest Chilli Market in Guntur gutted

A major fire destroyed the Guntur chilli market yard, which was the larest chilli market in Asia. At least 1,90,000 bags of chilli were gutted. Over 500 shops were completely burnt. The total loss is estimated at Rs 55 crore. The fire was attributed to a short circuit, which occurred when a lorry hit overhead electric wires.

The Andhra Pradesh government will announce a compensation package after reviewing the insurance sum given to the farmers and shopkeepers who suffered heavy losses in the fire. Fire tenders from Nagarjuna Fertiliser Corporation and Godavari Fertiliser Corporation were deployed to douse the fire. Chilli prices in the country are expected to go up, as a major shortage may be the reality because of this unprecedented loss.