BMC to permit rooftop eateries

In a major move likely to transform the hospitality industry scene significantly, the BMC has approved the policy to give hotels eating-house licences for their rooftops. The policy states that for the newly-constructed rooftop hotels, the terrace should be a part or extension of the hotel rooftop. There should be construction on at least 300 sq ft of the total terrace area, while the rest can be used for sitting. For the hotels that have already exhausted their Floor Space Index (FSI), they will be allowed thus by charging a premium at 1 per cent of the ready reckoner rates and all the other rules will remain same. “No construction or cooking can be allowed there, as they have utilised their FSI already. The terraces can be used only as a serving areas,” said a top civic official. According to the civic officials, the move to have eating houses on hotel rooftops will boost Mumbai’s potential as a world tourism destination. There are several beachside high-rise hotels in the city that offer a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea. Restaurants on their rooftops will then be an added advantage for them and also boost tourism in the city. A senior civic official said, the BMC used to give eating-house licences to rooftop hotels earlier, but the practice was later discontinued due to certain violations. “Other licences like for serving liquor still remain the same and these eateries will be permitted only on commercial buildings or on buildings that is a hotel,” said a civic official. Meanwhile, the BMC is also mulling to change few rules pertaining to renewal of licences. Hoteliers have demanded that the process for licence renewal be streamlined, so the civic body has decided to issue licences with a validity of five years, provided there is no change in the location of the restaurant and its ownership.