Unsafe Theatres Have Their Way!

U. Sudhakar Reddy
Hyderabad, April 16: The government is presently in a spree to grant permission to expand theatre halls even if they flout rules. Recently, the state granted permission to a movie hall at Sri Raghavendra Theatre Complex at Malkajgiri, the third of its kind, though it has already been found that there is not enough open space in the complex.
After Prasads Imax, this is the latest theatre to get such permission. In another case, authorities accorded permission to two theatres in the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) land at Kushaiguda, which is meant for setting up electronics industry. The managing partner of Sri Raghavendra Theatres Complex, Mr N. Mallesh Yadav, had filed a review petition with the government to grant a no objection certificate for the construction of a third mini-theatre on the ground floor.
Earlier, the government had rejected their appeal. Following this, the management filed a review petition stating they have complied with the fire safety rules. The management recalled the interim orders passed by the High Court in March 2007, which states that the government should not insist on structural changes in existing theatre buildings in respect of mandatory open space.
Following the review petition, the government asked the Cyberabad commissioner of police, the fire services DG and the GHMC chief city planner to inspect the premises and submit reports. Their reports said there are certain lapses and suggested that it is not desirable to construct an additional theatre. Mr Mallesh countered the report arguing that an additional parking space of 2,000 sq ft has already been provided. He was later awarded permission. Similarly, the state granted permission for the construction of Baby Sandhya Theatre in Tirupati.