Phoenix Mall ordered to close over parking woes, public disturbance concerns

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand ordered the temporary closure of Phoenix Mall of Asia in Hebbal on Saturday, citing insufficient parking facilities.

Utilising sections 144(1) and 144(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Commissioner invoked powers to address urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger and to issue ex-parte notices.

These restrictions, effective from 10 am on December 31 to midnight on January 15, aim to prevent public annoyance and disturbances to tranquillity.

The mall, operational since October 27, has been in the news for various reasons, including causing significant traffic congestion on Christmas Eve.

Activists targeted the mall with vandalism, protesting the absence of Kannada signboards, resulting in a one-day shutdown.

Reports from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, North East Division, and the Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic Bengaluru, received on December 27, highlighted public inconveniences caused by the mall.

Another police report on December 30 warned of potential issues on New Year's Eve.

After examining police, media, and intelligence reports, visiting the mall on December 27, and consulting senior police officials, Commissioner Dayanand concluded that the mall lacks sufficient parking space.

The Joint Commissioner of Traffic emphasised the need for parking space for at least 10,000 cars and 10,000 twowheelers.

The Commissioner's order noted the mall's location adjacent to the Bellary Highway service road, a critical route connecting Kempegowda International Airport and densely populated areas of North Bengaluru.

Despite being certified for partial occupancy by BBMP, the mall provides parking for only 2,324 cars and two-wheelers in its two basements.

Due to limited parking space, vehicles queue up at the mall's entrance, causing traffic congestion on the service road and disrupting traffic flow on the highway.

The Commissioner requested the withdrawal or cancellation of the partial occupancy certificate issued to the Mall of Asia from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.

Acknowledging the urgency, the notice stated that there is no time for hearings or alternative actions due to time constraints.

However, it is noteworthy that such an order was issued seemingly without prior awareness of the mall's size and location, despite being operational for days.