Sohna road mall accused of violating safety norms

GURUGRAM: After an inspection at Omaxe Mall on Sohna Road, the department of town and country planning (DTCP) on Friday claimed the mall management had made several changes in the building plan which compromises people’s safety.

DTCP officials observed that the space allotted as common area in the building had been encroached on, an elevator was being used only by a specific store and no arrangements had been made to ensure safety of people in case a fire breaks out in the mall.

Elaborating on the violations, an official said, “The mall management has allotted the common area to a lifestyle store, while one of the elevators was being used exclusively by a store that deals with sport equipment. There were obstructions noticed near the emergency entry and exit gates of the building.”

The inspection was conducted at the mall following an order from the Civil Court where a complaint was filed by Vikas Gupta and his mother Nirmal Gupta in May this year.

Vikas, in his complaint, said, “ The emergency exit and access points, including common corridors, washrooms, elevators and staircases, have been blocked by a sports brand showroom set up on the ground floor of the mall. It seems the management doesn’t care for the human life. If any incident like Uphaar tragedy takes place here, people will be trapped inside.” Vikas also highlighted the difficulties the firefighters faced in February this year when a restaurant inside the mall had caught fire.

“The district civil court had directed us to conduct a site visit. We will submit the report in the court after compiling it,” said Amit Madholia, assistant town planner.

A representative of Omaxe Mall refused to comment as the case is subjudice.