With both parties differing, the policies have been in cold storage for almost a year now. The rooftop restaurant policy was initially proposed by Samajwadi Party's Farhan Azmi and then backed by Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray.
While Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) open space policy seems to be done and dusted with, it appears the ruling partners – Shiv Sena and BJP – are all set to spar over rooftop restaurants and night markets next. The two controversial topics, over which the parties are pitted against each other, are slotted to come up for discussion in BMC next month.
With both parties differing, the policies have been in cold storage for almost a year now. The rooftop restaurant policy was initially proposed by Samajwadi Party's Farhan Azmi and then backed by Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray.
Following the submission of a memorandum by the Association of Hotels and Restaurants, the civic body had framed a policy allowing hotels to serve food and liquor on terraces and even host parties. The BJP was opposed to the plan and had rejected it at the civic improvements committee meet last year.
On the other hand, the plan to have night markets was mooted by BJP legislator Ameet Satam. The Sena was opposed to the plan, as it wanted the state government to approve Aditya's night life plan. The Sena had claimed that having night markets would lead to more crime and nuisance.
"Since those policies were deferred, they have come up on the civic general body (GB) agenda. Such deferred issues are brought back on the agenda after three months," said a senior civic official.
In a bid to snub its alliance partner Sena, the BJP had rejected the ambitious plan to allow rooftop restaurants on commercial high-rises, saying that among other requirements, an applicant needed the consent of all buildings surrounding the proposed spot and not just the building where it is housed.
"We will stick to our stand. If they agree to our suggestions and change the policy, then we have no problem," said Manoj Kotak, BJP group leader in the BMC. While rejecting the proposal earlier, BJP had said such restaurants would damage the city's culture.
Not willing to let go, Sena is opposed to BJP's night markets plan. Under this concept, street markets will be allowed to stay open on weekends between 2am and 4am. Citing concerns, such as women's safety and nuisance in residential areas, Sena corporator Avkash Jadhav had written to the BMC, opposing the plan.
Satam's plan was seen as a rival to Aditya's night-life proposal. "There will be no disturbance to residents. We can have night markets in commercial areas on the lines of night markets in Singapore and Hong Kong. They will promote tourism too," Satam said.
Over the last year, over half-a-dozen policies have been grounded in the BMC due to the ongoing tussle between the Sena and BJP.
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