BMC gets tough, seals 9 eateries, razes alterations

Taking a tough stance against illegal alterations, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished unauthorised structures in city’s popular food outlets like Bhagat Tarachand at Zaveri Bazaar, Sardar Pav Bhaaji at Tardeo, Bonobo restaurant and KFC Mall at Bandra on Monday. The civic body also sealed nine eating houses in Kurla for not complying with municipal rules and fire safety norms.

Following the major fire at City Kinara in Kurla, in which eight people lost their lives, the civic body has decided to take stringent action against illegal structures in city food joints. As part of this, unauthorised extensions, which were found in these famous food outlets in the city, were razed.

“In Bandra, demolitions were undertaken in Bonobo restaurant and KFC Mall at Linking Road, during which unauthorised toilet blocks, kitchen extensions, terrace shed, among others admeasuring about 700 sq ft were demolished,” said Vijay Kamble, assistant commissioner, H/West ward.

According to civic officials, eateries such as Hotel Moti Mahal, Panchawati Gaurav, Aroma Café, Manjunath Fast Food, Rameshwar Wadapav, Savana Phoenix Hotel, Sitaram Tea Shop, Hotel Darshan and Asia Bar in Kurla were sealed by fire brigade officials as they were found to be violating fire safety norms.

“The service parts of these eating houses were sealed to ensure safety of the customers. At some of the places, seizure action was also taken and the licence has been temporarily suspended,” said a senior civic official.

While majority of them are grade III eateries, irregularities were also found in grade I restaurants. Major anomalies like absence of fire NoC, using mezzanine floor for service purpose, lack of fire fighting equipment and fire extinguishers, additional alterations on premises, fire norms not complied with, operating without fire and health licence, using open space for trade purpose were found in these eating houses, said civic officials.

In K-East ward, the civic body demolished illegal extensions and seized gas cylinders at Jaslok, Bharat and Prasann restaurants in Andheri.

Apart from this, action was also taken against eateries in A (Colaba), N (Ghatkopar), S (Bhandup) and T (Mulund).