DTCP acts against commercial units working in mall basements
GURUGRAM: After sending several notices, the officials of Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) have finally begun to take action on the commercial units that are functional in the basement of the city malls.
On Saturday, the officials sealed various such units in the malls that are situated on MG road. The officials later mentioned that in the coming days more such inspections and sealing will take place.
More than 24 malls were warned by the DTCP earlier of stringent action after it was observed that it had encroached upon the spaces set aside for safety exits, parking lots and used it for commercial purposes. Compromising on safety procedures has resulted in these malls being found ill-equipped to handle major emergencies like fire, earthquakes and stampedes.
It was observed that most of the shopping outlets, restaurants, offices have been opened in the entry and exit areas and even in front of the fire fighting equipments.
The basements and the open spaces in the malls have been misused by setting up security rooms, store rooms, washrooms, and monitoring room. In the inspection that was conducted by the DTCP officials it was found that areas ranging from 4,000 square feet to even 1.10 lakh square feet have been encroached by the erring malls despite the warning.
Making scathing observations over the violation of building norms, the DTCP had been issuing notices to these malls however there has been no action taken by the mall management. Moreover, flouting of rules by the mall management is defeating the purpose of free parking in the mall basement due to death of space for vehicles. Even though Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) had directed the city malls for free parking by waiving off property tax from basements, most of the vehicles still continue to be parked on the main service roads. GURUGRAM: Women insecurity in the city was once again highlighted after a 21-year-old alleged that she was stalked and later abused and manhandled by a person after she questioned him about his act.
What proved to be even more appalling was that the victim claimed that the police did not help her and pestered her of not filing the complaint and settle the matter without the involvement of the police.
Moreover, the woman also asserted that the cops who had come to resolve the matter were drunk on duty.
The incident occurred on Friday night when the woman was coming towards Ram Nagar area to visit a temple.
During the course of her journey, she was being followed.
Upon reaching the destination, she made her displeasure felt to the person who then abused and roughed up.
Seeing the matter escalate, the people from the locality called the police. Yet, the male accused was able to get away as the cops after discussion with the girl made her sign the settlement letter.
Not happy about the situation, she then approached the local media and highlighted about the police apathy which later resulted in her tormentor being arrested and the law enforcers initiating the investigation into the case.
According to the police, official molestation of women comes second in list of crimes against women in the district after domestic violence.
In 2014 and 2015, there were 124 and 178 cases of molestation but in 2016, there was a whopping increase with over 320 cases of molestation registered.
There have been already more than 200 cases of molestation that have been registered in 2017.
Even though it is a major law and order challenge, most of the women who are victims of this form of crime feel hesitant and apprehensive in filing their complaints.
Senior police officials highlight that lack of proper evidences, fear of a long legal process and family honour are some of the key issues that prevent such cases to have its logical end.