Alleged illegal commercial activities in the open areas of some malls, blocking the entry or exit points, could lead to a situation like the 1997 Uphaar tragedy which had claimed 59 lives, the Delhi High Court said on Thursday.
Expressing concern over the lack of respect for public safety, the High Court pulled up authorities, including the Delhi Police and the Fire Service.
“There is a very little respect for public safety and security in the public sector. You have converted a village into big restaurants,” a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said.
Learning from mistakes
“Look at the Uphaar tragedy. Why did it happen? Because they had put seats in corridors. There are restaurants where there is no exit in the back side. You go to foreign countries and see their systems,” the court said and listed the matter for October 11.
The court was hearing a PIL alleging that commercial activities inside the open areas of two popular south Delhi malls could pose a risk to safety if there was a fire or an earthquake. “You cannot do exhibitions in corridors and balconies. But it is happening. If you [authorities] abide by the law, why would he [petitioner] come here?Right to environment is a recognised right,” it said, while advising the authorities and the petitioner, advocate Jeetender Gupta, to work together to make malls safer.
Status reports
During the hearing, the Delhi Police and the Delhi Fire Service filed their status reports in the case.
The court had earlier issued notices to the Delhi government, DDA, police, fire department, Select City Walk and DLF malls, seeking their responses.
