Nagpur: Illegal but still flourishing! This is the case of rooftop restaurants in Nagpur! In response to a calling attention motion in the State Assembly regarding unauthorized rooftop hotels, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Fire and Emergency Services Department informed the State Government that 22 unauthorized rooftop restaurants are operating in areas such as Ramdaspeth, Chhaoni, Amravati Road, Dharampeth, and Cotton Market, a report in a local daily said.
The Fire Department reported that these rooftop restaurants are functioning without its permission and in violation of approved plans. They lack adequate exit routes and fire-fighting infrastructure, posing a significant risk of accidents.
Monday's Rate
Sat 23 Dec. 2024
This information was provided by the NMC in response to a motion by Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar and MLA Sunil Kamble, who expressed concerns about unauthorized rooftop hotels in Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Nashik, and other major cities.
The NMC’s report stated that actions have been initiated against these 22 rooftop restaurants under Section 6 of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Saving Measures (MFPLSM) Act 2006 (2007) for lacking fire-fighting equipment. Closure notices were issued to 15 rooftop restaurants, and one has received approval from the competent authority.
The Town Planning Department has been urged to take action against these establishments for operating illegally without necessary approvals and permissions.
Among the 22 restaurants, 14 buildings were declared unsafe under Section 8 (1) of the MFPLSM Act. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and NMC’s Water Works Department were instructed to disconnect power and water supply to five establishments under Section 8(2) of the Act. Additionally, an FIR was filed against the owner of one rooftop hotel.
Wadettiwar and Kamble highlighted that these unauthorized rooftop restaurants often run hookah parlors, pubs, and potentially facilitate drug supply and consumption. They cited incidents of hotel fires in Mumbai and Pune that were allegedly neglected by corrupt officials in various departments, including Municipal Corporations, Fire Departments, State Excise, Health Department, and police.
These rooftop restaurants also contribute to noise pollution and cause disturbances to nearby residents. There has been an increase in anti-social activities around these establishments.
The MLAs called for a uniform policy for rooftop hotels in Maharashtra and demanded the closure of such illegal establishments. They emphasized that the government’s inaction on this issue endangers lives and poses a law and order problem. They stressed that the government’s response remains to be seen.
MLC Satyajit Tambe also moved a calling attention motion in the Legislative Council during the ongoing monsoon session, demanding the closure of all gaming zones and rooftop restaurants operating without no-objection certificates and licenses from the competent authorities. Citing the May 24 fire at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, which claimed 27 lives, Tambe urged the government to ensure such illegal establishments do not reopen and to frame a policy to address this issue.
