11 shopping complexes given notice for violating fire norms:Hindustan Times

Had made alterations to bldg, had no fire-fighting equipment

MUMBAI: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent notices to 11 malls and shopping complexes in Bandra and Khar (H-West ward), for alleged violation of fire safety norms.

The notices have been sent after these establishments were found to have flouted rules, during a massive inspection drive by officials from the fire and civic authorities. The orders of the inspections were given by civic chief Ajoy Mehta last month after a fire gutted three shops at Kenilworth Mall, Linking Road, Bandra.

These establishments were found to either have made illegal alterations to the building, such as addition of mezzanine floors, blocking of passage ways and refuge areas, or had dysfunctional or unavailable fire-fighting equipment, among others.

Though the names of the establishments have not been disclosed, officials from the encroachment department confirmed the action. “We have completed the inspection of 11 malls and shopping complexes and found all of them violating some norms,” said an official from the department.

Congress corporator, Asif Zakaria has alleged the BMC is selective about inspecting malls and has left out many big complexes from the ward.

“It is true that one or two establishments from the ward have not been inspected yet. But there is no question of being selective about the audit,” said an official from the encroachment department.