25 rooftop restos across Salt Lake, New Town, Sec V & Baguiati to be shut till further notice
Times of India | 5 May 2025
12 Kolkata: Twenty-five rooftop cafes and restaurants in Salt Lake, New Town, Baguiati, and Sector V were identified to be shut down on Sunday, a day after Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, following in footsteps of the KMC, asked the police to conduct a check of the eateries on terraces and temporarily close them down. After a meeting with Bidhannagar mayor Krishna Chakraborty, Bidhannagar police commissioner asked all police stations to take stock of the fire safety precautions at resto-bars and cafes.
TOI reported on Sunday that BMC councillors were asked to compile a list of rooftop restaurants in each ward so the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate can inspect them. "The CM highlighted the perils of rooftop restaurants. After a meeting with the BMC mayor, we instructed all police stations to inspect restaurants and, for the time being, ask rooftop eateries to shut down until a detailed fire audit takes place," said an officer.
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The officer added that a separate team would be formed, comprising police and fire services officials, who will check eateries. "Once the fire audit is done, final instructions will be issued," the officer said.
Among major eateries that have been asked to suspend rooftop operations are Club Fenicia, Altair, PPT, Five and Dime, and Senses. "We are not serving food in the open area for the time being but we are serving patrons in our indoor dining place. The patrons can also go out and have a smoke in the open area if they want," said a representative of Club Fenicia in Sector V.
A senior official of Altair said they heard their name features on the list, but they are yet to receive an official instruction from cops. "We welcome the move and will allow the authorities to come and check our fire safety and all other measures. Since we haven't received a formal intimation yet, we are continuing to serve our patrons in the outdoor dining area. But we will comply with any official instruction and are also willing to have a dialogue with the authorities," the official said.