Nagpur: Revenue is the utmost priority for the Nagpur Administration, period! Let us rephrase the previous statement for more clarity – Revenue is such a priority for the Nagpur Administration that they are willing to risk your life for it!
The reason, you ask? No rooftop restaurant is legal in Nagpur!
Today’s Rate
Saturday 23 Nov. 2024
Roofs are reserved for ‘Refuge Areas’ in every building, providing a safe avenue for the evacuation process in case of any emergency. However, with rooftop dining and party culture in trend, every establishment’s owners are willing to pay a small price — your life — for moolah!
To establish any rooftop restaurant that can also serve drinks — the most important ingredient to generate easy money — owners need clearance from the Town Planning Department of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and the Fire Department; only then can they seek permission from the Excise Department to serve liquor.
However, the Fire Department has not issued a single NOC to any rooftop establishment in the city, leaving their liquor license from the Excise Department in limbo. However, you won’t find any rooftop club in Nagpur that will refuse to serve you liquor (at an expensive price, obviously).
When Nagpur Today took the matter to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone 2, Rahul Madane, who has most rooftop restaurants under his jurisdiction, he said, “As far as illegal construction is concerned, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is responsible to remove it. Whereas illegal liquor consumption is concerned, the Excise Department would be the ideal institution to comment on the matter, as the police have no authority to raid the permit room unless there’s a law and order situation,” he said.
“Though we ensure proper operational timings for every institution,” DCP Madane mentioned.
The illegal serving of liquor at rooftops in Nagpur is also confirmed by Excise Superintendent Surendra Manpiya.
Speaking to Nagpur Today, Manpiya informed that, “The Excise Department has not issued a single license to any rooftop in Nagpur till date. Those who are serving liquor on rooftop establishments are illegal. We’ve initiated action on institutions following any complaint in this regard,” he said.
Rajeev Jaiswal, President, Nagpur District Permit Room Association, sought the legalization of rooftops to generate more revenue for the Maharashtra Government.
“We’ve written to the Government on several occasions for the legalization of rooftop restaurants. It will enable more profit in their share. So far, nothing concrete has come out,” he said while speaking to Nagpur Today.
It is pertinent to mention that, in December 2017, fourteen people were killed and at least 16 injured after a fire broke out in a rooftop restaurant and engulfed a four-storey building in Mumbai’s thriving Kamala Mills complex, raising concerns over fire-safety norms in the commercial hubs.
The incident followed action from all administration, excise and police departments.
So one thing is certain: while there’s no legal permission for rooftops in Nagpur, bosses are just waiting for you to ‘die first’ then act!
– Shubham Nagdeve
