Rooftop restaurants in city malls get civic body push

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner (BMC) issued a draft circular on Wednesday paving way for the long-pending decision of allowing rooftop restaurants in the city. The policy will allow setting up of restaurants in malls and lodges. However, the restaurant kitchen will have to be operated with non-flammable appliances like microwave oven or induction.

Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray is believed to be the brainchild of the open to air terrace restaurant concept, which is also called as a rooftop restaurant. However, the BJP had opposed the idea of rooftop restaurants while supporting night market.

According to officials from the Municipal Secretary (MS) department of BMC, a proposal regarding rooftop restaurant may likely come up in the general body meeting of the BMC soon. "This is a draft circular and the policy for restaurant on "Open to Air Terrace" to be framed will be based on this draft circular," said the official. However, he added that an approval from the Corporation will be required.

Ravi Raja, a Congress corporator and leader of opposition in BMC opposed the circular, "The civic administration cannot bring even a draft policy when the proposal is pending in the House." said Raja. He added that the proposal was already rejected in the improvement committee of BMC. The civic body stated that the draft circular has been prepared taking into account suggestions given by all party group leaders.