The Merani Committee may have made its observations on what's making the city's multiplexes and malls unsafe, but the subjects in question claim ignorant of its existence.Says Devang Sampat, VP, marketing and programming, Cinemax, whose cinema at Infinity Mall, Andheri is under scrutiny. "We have 11 multiplexes all over Mumbai but as of now we have not got any verbal or written notice from the BMC. We will make changes feasible to us once we get the notice. BMC has visited us many times but we were not told about any flaws in our cinemas," said Sanjay Prabhu, general manager, operations, Inorbit, Malad, says he hasn't got any notice either. "We are yet to receive notice. As far as fire drills are concerned we have two drills everyday and evacuation is done once in 15 days. We have a special team of retailers, managers who look after this."
The Merani report also points out flaws in the upcoming 7-screen PVR cinema that is yet to open. Surendra Pal, GM, operations, High Street Phoenix Mill, Lower Parel too claims to be unaware of the report. "I have no idea of any issues raised by the BMC or fire officials. I need to take a look before making changes," he says.
Four Adlabs cinemas: Huma (Kanjurmarg), R-Adlabs (Mulund), Metro Adlabs (Dhobitalao) and Imax (Wadala) are under scrutiny for lacking proper exit points, safety evacuation procedures and parking norms. But Tushar Dingra, COO, Adlabs cinema is unaware of all this. "I am unaware of any such report. Unless I read it, I won't comment on the issue," he says.
Fire officials, however, insist multiplex owners know about the report. "Before the Merani report was made public, all multiplex owners along with their architects were called for a meeting. Verbally, they have been given instructions for making changes," said an official. Soon, owners will be sent a notice of three months to make the necessary changes.
State Government appointed the Merani Committee to give recommendations on safety measures during an emergency in multiplexes in Mumbai. Surveys were carried out in 33 malls, 18 functioning and 15 under construction that have come up in Mumbai in the past four years. None of them were shown to have adequate safety norms.
Multiplex owners failing to comply with the recommendations would risk having their licences suspended.
