Encroachments by 4 hotels demolished

Mumbai: Four top restaurants in the western suburbs, Cafe Bandra, Laguna Bar, China Gate and Tap, faced the ire of the Brihanmumbai Munic-ipal Corporation (BMC) for constructing illegal structures. In a major demolition drive on Sunday, the civic body razed encroachments and illegal alterations in these restaurants. According to civic officials, illegal structures had been constructed at both China Gate and Tap, which are located in the same building at New Link Road, Andheri in K-West ward. Tap, which is located on the ground floor of Royal Plaza Co-operative Society on New Link Road, had erected illegal sheds on both its front and rear sides and used it as a dining area.  China Gate, located on the first floor of the building, also had an illegal construction, said civic officials.

“Both the restaurants were issued notices under the Mumbai Municipal Act 351. After completing the legal process, the illegal structures were demolished. At the Tap restaurant, we had razed external illegal additions last week. Following this, we demolished illegal structures in the internal parts of the restaurant in the last couple of days,” said Prashant Gaikwad, assistant commissioner, K-West ward.

In H-West ward, an unauthorised construction of 2,000 sq ft was demolished in Laguna Bar, whereas 600 sq ft of illegal structure was removed in Café Bandra.

“The illegal structure at Laguna Bar was razed in November last year. However, the restaurant authorities again erected it,” said Sharad Ughade, assistant commissioner, H-West.