50 eateries apply for fire NOC in Thane

The Thane Municipal Corporation’s drive against hookah parlours and eateries flouting fire safety norms is slowly bearing fruit. After some restaurants were sealed last week, 50 city hotels have applied for a no-onjections certificate (NOC) with the civic fire safety department.

On January 22, the TMC (Thane Municipal Corporation) sealed six hookah bars and demolished 10 illegal restaurants and some parts of their construction.  This step was taken after over 550 eateries which include hotels, bars, lounges and hookah bars failed to apply for fire NOC (no objection certificate) even after a 15 day grace period was given to them by the civic body to do so.

“Of these applicants all are fire safety compliant, and we have given our NOC. We have and sent it to the town planning department of the TMC,” says Shashikant Kale, chief fire officer, TMC.  

However, citizen activist Dayanand Nene said just a daylong drive is not enough:  “TMC needs to undertake this drive for three months if they really want hotels and bars to abide by the rules.”