Mumbai: The Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to implement the rooftop restaurants policy in the city with immediate effect has left other parties fuming. Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party have strongly objected to the manner in which the policy has been implemented saying that it should have been first discussed in the civic house.
BJP group leader Manoj Kotak has said that the policy has been implemented erroneously. “The policy should been first discussed in the group leaders meeting in the civic house. It would have allowed corporators to raise their suggestions and objections. Our main concern is citizens’ safety and we will not allow it to be compromised.”
Opposition leader Ravi Raja from Congress said, “The right of the corporators have been violated by the manner in which the policy has been implemented. We are considering the legal options to challenge this step.”
However, refuting the various allegations, mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar that said the decision to implement the policy has been taken by the commissioner under his own rights. “The policy will offer revenues to the BMC and will also increase employment opportunities for the youths in the city. It will also promote tourism in the city,” he said.
Civic chief Ajoy Mehta on Wednesday approved the rooftop restaurants policy, under which the restaurants in the city can now have license to serve food at their rooftop. According to the policy, restaurants can be allowed on the terraces of only commercial mall buildings or residential hotels that have an eatery and lodging services without causing any nuisance to the occupants. However, no cooking or preparation of eatables shall be allowed on the terrace with the help of LPG or open flame. Only ready-to-eat food will be served to the customers. The no-objection certificate (NOC) from chief fire officer has also been made mandatory. Another rule is that there shouldn’t be any residential building within 10 m of the building that houses the rooftop restaurant.
