Acting tough on building rule violators, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday sealed the Big Bazaar shopping mall at Patia here.
It was alleged that the mall did not comply with parking stipulations and violated fire safety norms.
The shopping mall was sealed in presence of BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary and Deputy Commissioner Srimanta Mishra and other BMC officials.
The operation to seal the building was initiated when the BMC officials who had come for an eviction drive in the nearby area, were informed about the shopping mall not having parking facilities. Soon after, the civic body officials swung into action.
During questioning, when the Big Bazaar authorities failed to show fire safety clearance certificate and give satisfactory answers, the officials served a show-cause notice to the building owner.
BMC Deputy Commissioner Mishra said the shopping mall has violated the BDA’s building approval plan by utilising the parking space for its godown.
“Instead of going to court, the officials formed a mobile court and passed the sealing order to the BMC North Zone Deputy Commissioner. They would seal the building. We have served a notice to the building owner Jitendra Prasad Singh as well. The building will be sealed till the shopping mall owner furnishes compliance certificate to the competent authorities,” he added.
As the mall is located near Patia Square, lack of parking space causes traffic snarls on the busy thoroughfare and affects traffic movement, said a BMC official.
