The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has shut down 12 shops at Mather Bazaar in Broadway, one of the busiest commercial centres in the city, for allegedly flouting safety norms.
The DDMA ordered the Kochi Corporation to shut the establishments till they obtained certificates of safety from the Fire and Rescue Services department as well as the Electrical Inspectorate, an official release said on Wednesday.
The action, based on Section 33 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, comes following a joint inspection conducted by various departments on December 17 and 20. During the inspection, it was found that several shops lacked fire extinguishing facilities, and earth-leakage circuit breakers to prevent short circuits were defunct. Careless handling of inflammable objects was also detected, the release said.
The shops found violating safety norms were given three days to fix the lapses. Action was taken against establishments that failed to comply with the deadline.
“The Corporation has also been asked to consider cancelling the trade licence of the erring shops. The shops will be allowed to function only on production of the required certificates after installing safety arrangements. The Corporation officials have been instructed to submit an action-taken report within 48 hours,” the release said.
Published – December 25, 2025 01:23 am IST
