The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered the immediate closure and evacuation of Orchid City Centre Mall on Bellasis Road in Mumbai Central, following directions issued by the Supreme Court.
The BMC’s D Ward issued a notice on September 1, directing shopkeepers, residents and all other occupants and users of the building to vacate the premises immediately. The action follows the Supreme Court’s August 25 order in the case Esa Usman Seliya & Ors v/s The MCGM & Ors.
Mall to remain shut until repairs are completed
As per the Supreme Court’s directions, the entire building cannot be used until the structural repairs and safety-related work required following the major fire in 2020 are completed.
The builder will have to complete all necessary repairs and satisfy the BMC that each floor of the building is safe for occupation and use. Until then, the mall will remain completely closed.
The notice has been issued to M/s Neelkamal Realtors and Builders Private Limited, DB Realty and Neelkamal City Shopping Mall India Limited, among other concerned parties.
Users of shops, commercial units and other premises on the ground and first floors have also been directed to vacate the property immediately.
Fire safety clearance mandatory before reopening
Before the mall can reopen, all statutory fire safety requirements must be complied with and explicit permission must be obtained from the concerned municipal authorities.
Only after the BMC is satisfied that the required safety measures have been completed will occupants be allowed to re-enter the building and resume business activities.
BMC warns of forcible evacuation
The civic body has warned that those who fail to comply with the order could face forcible evacuation. Any such action will be carried out at the risk and cost of the concerned owners and occupants.
The BMC has also warned that unauthorised entry into or occupation of the building while the closure order remains in force could amount to contempt of the Supreme Court’s order.
Mall was gutted in a major fire in 2020
A major fire broke out at Orchid City Centre Mall on October 22, 2020. The firefighting operation reportedly continued for more than 56 hours, causing extensive damage to the building.
Following the incident, allegations regarding unauthorised commercial units within the mall also came to light. The BMC subsequently demolished more than 700 alleged unauthorised shops and units in the premises.
The mall will now remain closed until the repairs linked to the 2020 fire are completed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions. It can reopen only after the BMC certifies the safety of the individual floors, all fire safety requirements are fulfilled and the necessary statutory permissions are obtained.
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