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Kolkata Cinemas Face Closure Over Fire Safety Woes
11 Sep
Summary
- Kolkata police issued urgent notices to single-screen cinemas for fire safety compliance.
- Two prominent theaters, Minar and Society, have already ceased operations.
- Exhibitors met with the fire minister to find a resolution to the crisis.
Several single-screen cinema halls in Kolkata have been served urgent notices by the police commissioner, mandating the submission of valid fire safety and electrical installation inspection certificates within seven days. Failure to comply will result in immediate closure. Two well-known single-screen theaters, Minar and Society, have already ceased operations following these directives.
The financial burden of upgrading these aging venues, coupled with declining audience numbers, presents a significant challenge for owners. Exhibitors, concerned about the widespread impact of these notices, held a high-level meeting with the fire and emergency services minister. The minister has reportedly assured stakeholders that the matter will be resolved.
Cinemas are required to possess valid fire safety and electrical inspection certificates. The recent notices demand copies of these documents within seven days, or face strict action. While some halls have preemptively closed, others are working to obtain the necessary compliance. Mithun Chakraborty has been credited with playing a proactive role in facilitating dialogue between industry stakeholders and authorities.
Society Cinema, which opened in 1948, shut down on September 2, with its last screening being 'Toxic.' Other halls like Basusree and Priya have submitted their requisite documents to the authorities. Prachi cinema also received a notice on September 2, and its owner confirmed the fire license has been submitted.
