Mantri wall collapse: Another BBMP enquiry that will go nowhere

Mantri Mall, one of Bengaluru's biggest malls, located in Malleswaram, was shut after a retaining wall collapsed, injuring two employees. Once the wall collapsed, plenty of allegations have been pouring out, with regards to illegal construction or bylaws violations in the building. 

The most important question at this stage, however, must be placed at the door of the BBMP, Bengaluru's municipal corporation, who approved these constructions at various levels. Will officials face action if it is found that they were involved in getting the necessary documents cleared without sufficient checks? 

Thippanna, Additional Director of Town Planning, BBMP, who has been monitoring the debris clearance at Mantri Mall said that a four-member expert committee under the chairmanship of the BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad was formed on Tuesday.

Top class civil engineers from Civil Aid Technoclinic Private Limited and from an engineering institute have been hired, he said, to give their expert opinions after examining the case in detail.
 

Dr Nagendra, Technical Director, Civil Aid, Dr Radhakrishna, Associate Professor from RV Engineering Colleg, Dr J S Jayashima Associate Professor and Dr MS Sudharshan, Senior Director, Civil Aid will be in the core team and Thippanna will be the member secretary.

"In 15 days the report has to be tabled. Based on this report, further steps will be initiated. In case any bylaw violation are found, the BBMP has the authority to seize the building. At present, only the occupancy certificate has been withdrawn,"  said Thippanna.

Bengaluru Mayor G Padmavathi said, "In case if we find loopholes in the Mantri building and BBMP officials negligence, we will take action against our officials," 

Many reports, over the years, have alleged that the Mantri Malleshwaram project was built over a stormwater drain and on BBMP land. BBMP officials said the experts in the committee would also look into these allegations. They will be penalised if a stormwater drain was encroached upon.  

As many police personnel will be guarding the building until the report is filed, workers at the mall gathered around with curiosity. The workers wanted to know about the fate of the building. Nirmala, who works at the Lifestyle unit in the mall said, "I live close by a slum. Now finding another mall or locating another  place is very tough," 

Like Nirmala thousands of workers have similar questions on their mind.

• Mantri Mall
• Bengaluru