The controversial rooftop policy was approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s commissioner Ajoy Mehta on November 1, 2017, after Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray pressed for it. He had tweeted about the same.
We also discussed the soon to be implemented “Mumbai 24/7” and the “Roof top restaurants policy” that will benefit Mumbai
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) https://twitter.com/AUThackeray/status/912604392548917248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2017
This policy allowed the residential hotels to use their terraces for restaurants. It came with conditions which 1 Above and Mojo’s Bistro had breached.
The BMC had restricted the restaurants from canopying the area i.e. no monsoon sheds/umbrella/tarpaulin cover. It was mandatory for the restaurants to keep the terrace open to the sky at all times but on December 29, 2017, Kamala Mills’ 1 Above and Mojo’s Bistro restaurants were covered by plastic cloth which caught fire due to a hookah.
Post this incident, the BMC came under the radar for approving the rooftop policy. Reason to which, the state government will review the rooftop circular issued by the BMC, confirmed, minister of state for urban development Ranjit Patil.
Ranjit Patil told TOI,
There are loopholes that are being taken advantage of. If the majority are of the opinion that the policy needs to be reviewed then we are open to suggestion. We will discuss the shortcomings, suggestions for effective action, details on the fire brigade's response time, an audit of fire permissions granted. Responsibility will be fixed.”
Post Kamala Mills fire case, elected representatives such as BJP MLA from Juhu Ameet Satam called for a stay on the policy while BJP MLA Manisha Choudhari from Dahisar complained to Patil about the BMC’s demolition action against hotels and eateries without issuing any notice.
However, the BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta said he will not scrap the policy as it will promote tourism and help raise the revenue for the city. He added that he will instead regulate and prevent the setting up of illegal rooftop hotels.
Share
Tweet
