No clearance, but Carlton gets buyers

Despite the fire that devastated the office complex last year and several issues yet to be resolved, people have shown keen interest in buying property here

No clearance, but Carlton gets buyers

Despite the fire that devastated the office complex last year and several issues yet to be resolved, people have shown keen interest in buying property here

The infamous Carlton Towers, where a major fire killed nine and injured 60 others less than a year ago, is in the news again. And this time, too, for all the wrong reasons. The office complex, which has not yet received all the clearances after several violations were noticed post the blaze, seems to be getting customers already, with three major deals being inked in the recent times.

Safe at last: (Circled) A man being rescued by the fire fighters from the
top floor of the Carlton Towers last year. File pic

The building is awaiting clearances from the BBMP, fire department and other agencies. "We have submitted a detailed report to the government on the fire. So far nothing has been decided on the issue," said BBMP's assistant director, town planning, H M Ramachandra.

Rules state that until the violations (over a dozen, according to the BBMP) at the premises are fixed, the BBMP cannot grant clearances. "Some people had approached us, saying that they fixed the problems on the floors they have properties on. But we can't give permission to individuals," added Ramachandra.

The BBMP will inspect the building once the problems have been fixed. "There were so many violations at the time of the incident. On many floors, the corridors were blocked and converted into offices, emergency exits were locked and people had opened up illegal eateries," Ramachandra said.

Real estate agencies have started selling space at Carlton Towers. "Furnished and unfurnished properties are available at Carlton Towers. The rental rate for furnished premises is Rs 50 per sq ft, while that for an unfurnished accommodation is Rs 35 per sq ft. Property is also available for sale at Rs 7,000-8,000 per sq ft," said a real estate agent from Thyagarajnagar.

Though people have bought space here, no one knows when the building will be operational, said a source. One of the owners of a property at Carlton Towers said, "The building will be ready in a month. The only hurdle is clearance from various departments."

"The lifts in the building and the entire electrical cabling are being changed. A separate generator has been installed and is operational. There will always be demand for space, but the building must be ready first, and for that, clearances are necessary. A new committee has been formed, which is looking into the matter," he added.