Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation approves rooftop restaurant policy

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

In the cold storage for over three years, the policy to allow rooftop restaurants in the city was finally approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday. It has come as a relief to those waiting to set up eateries on terraces. The policy has been passed with a clause that no terrace restaurant will be allowed within 10 metres of a residential building. "This is to ensure that no nuisance is created in residential areas, and at the same time, night life in the city is enhanced too," said a senior BMC official.

The official said, "The move is good for Mumbai with a beautiful seashore. It is the demand of the youth, and at the same time, it will boost tourism."

Earlier, even the BJP had not supported ally Shiv Sena in the civic body in clearing the policy, contradicting the latter's plan of enhancing the city's night life by letting pubs and restaurants operate all night long. In 2014, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray had mooted the idea to keep the city open all night. The BJP had been debating about inconvenience rooftop restaurants might cause. However, the Sena argued that already many rooftop restaurants were operating illegally and approval would earn more revenue for the civic body.

The BJP was in a quandary after CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed his interest in allowing rooftop restaurants and food trucks, while many of his party members had demanded regularisation. Members of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR) and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRA-WI) took credit for the development.

Adarsh Shetty, president of AHAR, said, "We are really happy that BMC has passed the proposal which we (AHAR and HRA-WI) have been pursuing for years. We are thankful to all the authorities …" Dilip Datwani, president of HRA-WI, said, "This is a welcome decision, which many international tourists, as well as Mumbaikars, will appreciate."

In a series of tweets, Aaditya Thackeray welcomed the move. He said it would "help Mumbai big time".

This will help Mumbai big time. It will boost tourism, employment and revenue to State. I'm glad the BMC has opened our city up to it

- Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) November 1, 2017

Permission for terrace eateries
1. Permission will be granted only to buildings that are commercial mall buildings/residential hotels having existing eating house and lodging services available.
2. Where part /pocket terraces are approved as refuge area, this policy will not be applicable.
3. The regular proposal/application to grant permission for serving food at open terrace/ part terrace/ common terrace (except refuge floor) as a serving area in approved buildings having occupancy certificate, shall be submitted to the office of the MoH (health officer) of the concerned ward.