In the wake of a devastating fire in the Burrabazar area last month, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor and Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim has ordered the immediate closure of all rooftop restaurants within the city.
The mayor’s directive aims to address serious safety concerns raised by the massive fire incident that broke out on the first floor of the Rituraj Hotel at Mechhuapatti in the Burrabazar area on April 29, killing 14 people, including a woman and two children.
Mayor Hakim said that according to the fundamental principle building rooftops, ground floors, are common spaces and they cannot be exclusively appropriated for commercial purposes. “Just as no one can sell the ground floor, the roof cannot be sold either,” the Mayor said.
“It is a common space and it is for everyone, because if there is a fire downstairs, people can go to the roof to take shelter or we can use it for evacuating in future. Similarly, if there is a fire upstairs, a common area can be used at the ground level. Hence the rooftop and ground floor cannot be sold.”
The Rituraj hotel fire revealed significant irregularities, with many fatalities attributed to suffocation as guests were unable to escape. The incident prompted swift action from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited the site and issued stern warnings to hotels, markets, and traders in the Burrabazar and Jorasanko areas, highlighting widespread non-compliance with safety regulations.
During a surprise visit to Magma Market, the Chief Minister discovered 24 improperly stored gas cylinders, further underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement.
Following these observations, CM Banerjee mandated a joint meeting between the fire department, municipality, and the police commissioner.
Following the Chief Minister’s directive for heightened vigilance, Mayor Hakim ordered the closure of rooftop restaurants.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is currently compiling a borough-based report to identify all such establishments. Once the report is finalised, the city plans to proceed with swift closures.