Backlash sends BMC on demolition roll

Mumbai: After the Friday’s blaze in which 14 were killed in Kamala Mills, for the third consecutive day, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) continued razing the unauthorised restaurants and other food joints which are operating without proper fire compliance. The civic body took action against 357 restaurants across the city, seizing 426 cylinders.

In view of the new year's celebrations, the civic body has taken a stern stand against outlets which were flouting safety norms. On Saturday, 314 unauthorised structures were demolished in a huge demolition drive launched by the civic body.  

During the demolition drive, the special focus on encroachments on fire escape corridors. Lucky Hotels, a famous food chain in the city, also faced civic body’s ire on Sunday for building unauthorised kitchen area and constructing doors on the fire escape staircase.

The demolition drive is full swing across the city and actions have been taken in areas including Goregaon, Chembur, Govandi, Lower Parel, Ghatkopar, Malad, Kurla, Andheri and Dahisar. The civic body also took action against a 4,000 sqft open terrace café Smaash at Kamala Mills on Sunday. Illegal extension of Mahesh Lunch Home and Bar Stock Exchange were also demolished.

On Sunday, the civic body launched an inspection of more than 600 restaurants across the city and around 30 hotels were sealed including 22 eateries from Kurla after the officials found violations. “Approximately 1,000 civic employees are involved in this demolition drive which includes health officers, inspectors and other administrative staffs,” said a civic official. Meanwhile, a city-based NGO organised a candlelight march on Sunday evening at Marine Drive for the victims who lost their lives in the Kamala Mills fire.

The march was organised under the hashtag of #mumbaimourning and #TributesToKamlaMillFireVictims.

According to the organisers, the aim of the march is to urge citizens to boycott pub parties and shun fire crackers.