Kolkata: The KMC buildings department will intensify its vigil on sale of terraces — keeping the flat owners in the dark — in case of newly constructed apartment buildings. The civic authority will check the legality of rooftop cafes and hookah bars that have sprung up across the city.
This follows multiple complaints that have poured in from flat owners, accusing a section of promoters who are striking a deal with willing customers for sale or lease of terraces.
According to the KMC building rules, under no circumstances a promoter is allowed to sell a terrace or gives permission to anyone to set up any infrastructure on the terrace without getting approval from the civic body’s buildings wing.
A flat owner and a resident of Raja Manindra Road on Saturday called up mayor Firhad Hakim during the interactive session ‘Talk to Mayor’ on Saturday and complained about the sale of the terrace of their building without informing him or other flat owners. Hakim immediately asked the director-general of the KMC buildings department, Ujjwal Sarkar, to send officials to the spot, verifying the allegation and take necessary action.
Later, Hakim conceded complaints were reaching the civic headquarters about illegal sale and conversion of terrace space for commercial gains. “We have been getting complaints frequently that a section of promoters is illegally selling out the terraces or changing the character of such terraces for opening rooftop cafes or hookah bars. This is an infringement of the flat owners’ rights. We have heard that cafes or hookah bars are coming up on terraces to rake in the moolah. We need to find out whether these are running with a valid trade licence,” said Hakim.
According to a KMC buildings department official, if a promoter wants to make use of terraces for a special purpose, he/she should first obtain permission from the flat owners. Thereafter, a plan needs to be submitted to the buildings department, giving details about the plan.
“We reserve the right to sanction such plans under special considerations. But under no circumstances, an approval is given for any change in the character of a terrace unless the flat owners agree,” said the civic official.