In a significant move, the Bengaluru police, led by City Police Commissioner B Dayananda, have mandated the closure of the recently inaugurated Phoenix Mall of Asia for the next 15 days, from December 31 to January 15. The decision was made in response to mounting concerns over the mall’s role in exacerbating traffic congestion in North Bengaluru.
Police authorities highlighted the inadequacy of parking facilities at the mall as a primary cause of severe traffic jams, especially in the Hebbal area, which is already prone to traffic snarls on regular days. Commissioner Dayananda, following a personal visit to the mall, identified the significant mismatch between the mall’s size and its parking capacity, stating, “The mall, spanning 12 floors (including 2 basement floors) with a total area of 86,421 square meters, provides only two basements to accommodate 2,324 cars and two-wheelers.”
The parking insufficiency has resulted in long queues of vehicles waiting at the mall’s entrance, causing congestion on the service road adjacent to the main highway and, consequently, halting vehicular traffic for extended periods on both sides of the highway’s primary carriageway.
Apart from parking woes, the mall’s exhaust blowers have contributed to high noise pollution levels, prompting numerous complaints from residents regarding disturbances in their sleep patterns and hindrances in students’ studies. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has reportedly cautioned the mall repeatedly to cease the noise pollution, citing the breach of prescribed limits.
Phoenix Mall of Asia, unveiled in late October amid much fanfare and touted as one of the nation’s largest malls, has witnessed a surge in footfall from North Bengaluru residents since its opening. However, recent traffic jams during a long weekend have prompted questions from the public regarding the authorities’ decision to allow its operation.
The closure directive issued by the Bengaluru police underscores the growing challenges posed by the mall’s infrastructural shortcomings, particularly the parking constraints and noise pollution, leading to substantial inconvenience and disturbances in the surrounding areas.
Sources By Agencies