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Aug. 10: It has been a lean period for movie lovers who frequented Cinemax to catch up with the latest movies and unwind.
Youngsters hanging around at Dona Planet after enjoying the latest movie at Cinemax used to be a regular sight in the afternoons and evenings but this popular hangout now looks empty, except for the customers who visit the shops inside the mall.
The multiplex had been closed down after the Kamrup (metropolitan) district administration suspended the trade licence of Cinemax on July 17 as it had failed to create a parking space for 50 vehicles even after it was served a notice earlier.
Cinemax shared the parking space with Dona Planet, which is in no way sufficient to accommodate the large number of vehicles arriving in the mall every day. Moreover, Cinemax India Private Limited has also failed to renew its agreement with Dona Planet after it expired a few months ago.
Cinemax has two screens with a total seating capacity of 500.
“My summer vacation was on and I had planned to see movies with my friends at Cinemax because one can comfortably enjoy them here. Unfortunately, the multiplex was closed down by the district administration. I hope they sort out whatever differences they have so that the multiplex opens and I can watch movies soon,” said Nitin Dey, an engineering student.
“After working for the entire week, I prefer coming to Cinemax with my friends to enjoy a movie in the weekend and then dine at one of the restaurants here. We can usually catch the latest movies here but since its closure we have to head to other movie halls,” said Bikash Das, a young professional.
The district administration will take a call on the issue in accordance to Cinemax’s move regarding the parking norms.
“We will take a decision after inspecting the action taken by Cinemax to create the required parking space. The renewal of the licence will also depend on it,” said Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotri.
The staff of Cinemax claimed that the management is on the lookout of space to create the required parking space.
“We are looking at one or two locations near the mall to create a parking space, but nothing has been finalised. We cannot say when Cinemax can open again as GMC officials will inspect the parking space after it is created,” said a Cinemax source.
“The closure of the multiplex for about 20 days has obviously affected our business. On an average, we make a business of over Rs 1 lakh per day and when the house is filled to capacity, we make over Rs 3 lakh a day. This is also having an adverse impact on the business of the shops located inside Dona Planet as most people used to come for a movie and then shop here,” said the source.
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