In a three-day enforcement drive, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed 66 miniplex screens in 20 buildings across the city. These mini plexes, or video cinema theatres, operated within commercial complexes were violating building use (BU) permit conditions. This action comes amid rising concerns about fire safety issues in these theatres.
The drive began on Saturday with the sealing of 14 screens in four buildings in western Ahmedabad. The sealed miniplexes include well-known names like Con Plex Sheela (Bodakdev), Banana Miniplex (Thaltej), Apple Multiplex (Chandlodia), and The Smart Theatre (Shilaj). Subsequent days saw similar actions against miniplexes in Navrangpura, Bodakdev, Gota, Sola, and other areas.
According to the AMC’s interpretation of the Gujarat Control of Development Regulations (CGDCR), cinemas within commercial complexes require separate construction plan approval. Skipping this crucial step is a clear BU rule violation, effectively rendering these miniplexes illegal.