DLF says demolition is part of enhancement work after roof collapse video goes viral

DLF, which operates multiple malls in NCR said that roof of Noida’s Mall of India was demolished on purpose, after a video went viral, triggering fear of collapse. The company had opened its malls in Delhi after the approval from authority but Noida’s mall, which is largest in NCR, is yet to open.

DLF said that delay in opening is not linked with roof demolition and mall will reopen once COVID19 related work is completed.

“We had commenced planned enhancement works in a part of The Mall of India, Noida when the lockdown was suddenly implemented. During this time, a small portion, measuring approximately 650 square metres only, or just under 3% of total roof area was in the process of being prepared for these enhancement works and unfortunately lay abandoned due to the COVID-19 lockdown,” said a DLF spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the freak thunderstorm and extreme weather conditions that hit the city in June adversely impacted this portion of the roof in its vulnerable state.

“As a consequence of the damage suffered, a decision was taken to bring down that entire portion of the roof and rebuild it completely to the originally intended enhanced standards, that shall go well beyond all the codes in such regards,” the spokesperson added.

Noida police said that though the video is viral, it has not received any complaint of any accident.

DLF maintained that the reopening of DLF Mall of India was not and is not linked to these enhancement works in any manner. However, in a press release in June, it had said that Noida mall will reopen on June 12th.

“The affected portions under such works, as mentioned earlier shall amount to only 2-3% of the total area. The opening is directly related to carrying out of all COVID related works in order to ensure a very safe and pleasurable shopping experience to our discerning patrons as well as a safe working environment to our staff and tenants,” spokesperson said.

“We are hopeful of completing these activities very soon and shall look forward to announcing the opening date in the very near future. The enhancement works shall go on parallelly in a safe and planned manner,” it added.