“The Pessimist Sees Difficulty In Every Opportunity.
The Optimist Sees Opportunity In Every Difficulty.”

The blaze that claimed over 28 lives in the Rajkot’s gaming zone has been an eye-opener for the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB authorities and for reasons; even more justifiable. As a wake-up call from the tragedy, the MFB found that as many as 13 malls of the total 55 inspected, were not in compliance of the Fire Safety Act. The sprawling metro is home to 69 malls spread across its length and breadth.

Malls in Mumbai witness a high number of footfalls, especially in summer when people go on shopping spree along with their children to treat them to some recreational activities. Most malls have gaming zone for children alongside shops, cinema theatres and hotels/eateries. Multiplexes are always a temptation given that all shopping and recreational activities happen under one roof.

The civic body went on an overdrive slapping notices in malls where fire systems were either found inoperative or under repairs. The inspections were fast-tracked by the MFB authorities with the malls in question served with notices, asking them to provide with details pertaining to the upkeep of their fire system, within the next 30 days. The MFB did exemplary work to bring 55 malls under its scanner in just three days, and found that some malls were operating without a functional fire system, such as repairing the jockey pump of a fire system. The mandatory fire NOC was found absent in 13 malls as they failed to furnish the required Form B.

Norms have it that malls renew their compliance certificates every six months and submit details about the upkeep of their existing fire systems, including those replaced, if any. Chief Fire Officer (i/c) of MFB, Mr Santosh D. Sawant made it clear that no mall can operate without a fire NOC, and even if they have one, it is mandated that they furnish and renew their fire compliance details every six months.

The regulation assumes extraordinary importance given that the lives and safety of people are at stake. Along with the renewal, the malls are asked to submit details pertaining to the maintenance of the fire systems like smoke detectors, alarm systems, alongside replacement of existing systems, repair works etc. A non-compliance and the possibility of a blaze can throw up consequences like the one in Delhi’s Uphaar theatre where a large number of people can get trapped and get asphyxiated.

The MFB has done well not to press the panic button and has taken a corrective stand. In malls where fire systems were found to be under repair or compromised, the civic body issued a notice calling for the immediate repair of the systems. Malls found non-compliant (till the time of writing this piece), will be served with a notice after the conclusion of the inspection and will be given 30 days to ensure compliance of the Fire Notice Act.

A disconcerting aspect of this non-compliance saga is most of the errant malls lie in the plush H/West ward (Bandra, Santacruz, Khar), followed by D ward (Grant Road), P/South ward (Goregaon) and R/Central (Borivali) ward. That all these are crowded throughout the year is for anyone to see. The only mall to have completed compliance is the Kohinoor Mall in Kurla West, a case of better-late- than-never.

According to Mr Sawant, “We initiated a six-day citywide inspection on May 26th to assess fire safety compliance across all malls. In December 2023, we inspected 70 malls in Mumbai, of which one was under construction. Out of the remaining 69 operational malls across the city and suburbs, 66 were fully compliant, with even minor details reported. However, three malls remained non-operational: Dreams Mall at Bhandup was shut down after a fire incident and is currently embroiled in litigation. SOBO Central Mall at Tardeo has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic, while Orchid City Centre Mall at Mumbai Central also ceased operations following a fire incident.”

By June 4th, the civic body will have compiled a comprehensive report on the fire safety status of all malls, consolidating the findings from inspections conducted across all six divisions. Non-compliant establishments will face action. In addition to the mall inspections, the MFB is also conducting rigorous assessments of bars and restaurants across the city to ensure adherence to fire safety norms. As part of its preparatory measures for the approaching monsoon season, it will conduct disaster management drills to enhance readiness and response capabilities.

Sitting on disaster?

–  CR2 Shopping Mall, Nariman Point

–  Reliance Retail Central City Mall, DB Marg

–  Heera Panna Shopping Centre

–  The Zone Mall, Borivali West

–  Goyal Shopping Arcade, Borivali West

–  Evershine Mall, Malad West

–  Metro Mall – METRO Cash & Carry, Malad West

– Milan Mall, Santacruz West

–  Reliance Trends main street mall, Hill Road

–  Kenilworth Shopping Arcade, Khar West

–  Devraj Mall, Dahisar East

–  The Mall, Malad West