News: Noida authority officials inspect DLF Mall of India after video of 'roof collapse'-09-07-2020

https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/retail/noida-authority-officials-inspect-dlf-mall-of-india-after-video-of-roof-collapse/76866475

In the video, smoke can be seen rising from the mall rooftop. Some pictures of ‘construction debris’ were also circulated on social media.

NOIDA: A two-member team of Noida Authority on Wednesday inspected the premises of DLF Mall of India after a 35-second video, purportedly showing a section of a roof inside the mall collapsing, surfaced. The mall is currently closed.

In the video, smoke can be seen rising from the mall rooftop. Some pictures of ‘construction debris’ were also circulated on social media. DLF clarified that the video was old and they had themselves brought down a damaged portion of the roof.

Salil Yadav, senior manager (electrical), Noida Authority, said during the team’s visit, mall officials told them that the video was from some days ago.

“They said heavy equipment installed in the mall was getting damaged due to emission of gases from the Shahdara drain flowing nearby, which was leading to seepage in the premises. For this, they are constructing an isolation chamber between the roof and the equipment, for which a portion of the roof was brought down. As proof, they showed a copy of the permission taken from the Authority for deposition of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Sector 80,” he said.

A DLF spokesperson said, “We had commenced planned enhancement works in a part of the mall when the lockdown was suddenly implemented. During this period, a small portion, approx. 650 square metres, or just under 3% of the total roof area, was in the process of being prepared and lay abandoned. The freak thunderstorm and extreme weather conditions in June adversely impacted this portion of the roof. As a consequence of the damage suffered, it was decided to bring down the entire portion and rebuild it completely.”

The spokesperson added that the reopening of the mall was not in any way linked to the enhancement works.

“It is related to ensuring a safe shopping experience for patrons as well as a safe working environment for staff and tenants during the pandemic. We hope to complete these activities soon and announce the opening date. The enhancement works will go on parallelly in a safe and planned manner,” the spokesperson said.