Mega mall in Kanpur gets off to a good start

The city warmly applauded the opening of the first pure shopping mall styled Mega Mall, by turning out in large numbers on the X-mass and New Year's eve, when 35,000 and 40,000 footfalls were recorded, confirming once again, that its image of a rundown city where quality places will be vandalised, was false and the residents appreciate whatever is good and preserve it.

The survey, conducted by the company Kan constructions and colonisers Ltd, the owner and builder, that there was great demand for a mall of international standards and 5-star ambience in Kanpur has turned out to be correct.

In fact it all started with the multiplex Rave 3, which was the first of the modern structures to appear in the city, which conclusively proved that so-called backward cities are after all not so backward and they appreciate the modern way of living and are wanting to join the mainstream.

Since then, the city has not looked back. Structures, being built every day, are now dotting the city and massive construction is taking place with the old being demolished to be replaced by new well designed structures.

The Mall is designed by the Mumbai-based Hafeez Contractor and has a complete transparent glass front. Kan constructions is a three-year old firm floated by an architect and two industrialists.

The architect, Asad Akhtar, is the director and manages it. He told Business Standard, that the total constructed area was 1.25 lakh sq ft,divided into six stories and underground parking, with central air-conditioning, and all modern amenities.

"A glass lift, the first in India GenII model of OTIS has also been installed. There are only fourteen of them in the world. After us, one more order has been placed for a similar lift. The escalators too are from OTIS outsourced from China. Another USP is the parking space for 300 vehicles, of which 90 can be accommodated in the underground parking. The mall has complete captive power plant run on diesel. There is a roof top restaurant," said Akhtar.

Akhtar wants to make it a diversified mall, which is one- stop shopping centre.

Thus it has attracted major brands"" Globus of Mumbai, a hi-fashion store""is the anchor tenant. The mall introduces Pizza Hut in the city for the first time.