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Bengaluru: Ban lifted, Mantri Mall reopens

Authorities present report by pvt consultant to BBMP, Commissioner: Get fire safety clearance every 2 yrs.

Bengaluru: Forty-one days after its closure, the controversial Mantri Mall opened for public on Saturday. The BBMP had withdrawn the occupancy certificate to the mall after a portion of the rear parapet wall collapsed on January 16. The Palike revoked the ban order early on Saturday and the mall opened just minutes after the order was passed, sources told Deccan Chronicle.

The BBMP had ordered closure of the mall immediately after the incident. Later an expert committee was set up to probe into the incident. The committee had suggested closure of the mall till remedial measures were taken. Subsequently, mall authorities presented a report prepared by a private consultant, Innotech Consult Pvt Ltd, declaring the structure safe, sources said.

BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad stated that Mantri Mall's occupancy certificate was revoked on 12 conditions. Some of the conditions were, remedial measures be taken as per the committee report, closure of third floor door until repair works are carried out, the damaged portion of the roof slab in the service balcony at terrace level be cleared and the rectification work be undertaken under the supervision of the experts, annual maintenance should be carried out and the BBMP should be kept informed, fire fighting mechanism has to be maintained with extinguishers in workable condition, and fire clearance certificate should be obtained from fire force authorities every two years and the BBMP should be informed about it.

Don’t use parking area for any other purpose
The BBMP Council witnessed acrimonious scenes last month over the issue of Mantri Mall illegally converting the basement area allotted for car parking into commercial units. Mr Manjunath Prasad, in his order, had directed the mall authorities to use the parking space in the basement for parking alone and no deviation in the usage of the building should be done at any stage and the provisions of the Zonal Regulation and Building By-Laws be followed. He had further stated that public safety and convenience should be ensured under all circumstances and the builder will be solely responsible for any failure in the structure or maintenance of the building.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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