Bhubaneswar: A prominent building at Patia that houses the Big Bazaar shopping mall was sealed by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday.
According to reports, the concerned building was sealed for flouting norms including deviation in the building plan meant for parking and violating existing fire safety norms. Informing about the development, Srimanta Mishra, the BMC deputy commissioner, informed that the sealing was executed by hearing the matter in a mobile court.
Mishra, who is also the OSD, ODA Court, stated that “After getting complaint, the building was sealed due to lack of parking provision and violation of fire safety norms.” Mishra further stated that the building is registered in the name of one Jitendra Prasad Singh and notice has been served accordingly.
“We took immediate action on getting information by organising a mobile court,” Mishra added.
Many have questioned the delayed action alleging that the authorities had earlier turned a blind eye to the blatant violation of rules.
Srikant Patnaik, manager of the building, on the other hand, alleged that no prior notice was served to them by the concerned officials before sealing.
“There is only 10 per cent deviation and already we have applied under the Amnesty scheme of the State government. We have basement for parking but people are reluctant to use it and are parking vehicles on road.
Moreover, we have also got permission from BMC for institutional parking in front of the building," said Patnaik.