First rooftop resto reopens before puja, others to follow
Times of India | 5 September 2025
Kolkata: A popular rooftop restaurant on Jawaharlal Nehru Road resumed operations after receiving an NOC from the civic body, four months after all rooftop joints in the city were shut down by a Kolkata Municipal Corporation order on May 2, citing irregularities and safety concerns.
The development has drawn cheer from both Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India and National Restaurant Association of India.
Roots — the rooftop food and beverage outlet at 55 JL Nehru Road, which is a mix of a lounge and nightclub — resumed operations on Wednesday after KMC gave it the go-ahead. "We are extremely happy to reopen and start business. This is good for the patrons and our employees. Coming ahead of the festive season, this will make a big difference to the F&B scene in Kolkata," said Roots owner Ramesh Kumar Agarwal.
Roots was the first rooftop facility to seek nod to reopen after an SOP was released by the state task force on fire safety at these joints. Roots submitted an indemnity bond and furnished documents like trade and fire licences.
However, given the four-month closure, it opened with only 60-70% of the menu on offer. "We hope the word will spread and patrons will be back within a week, by which time our entire menu will be restored," said Agarwal, who managed to retain 90% of the staff.
Another rooftop restaurant — Romania — operated by Agarwal, reopened earlier following a directive from the high court after they were able to produce all relevant permits and licences. This helped him retain most of the key employees. Only a few casual staff were laid off.
Other restaurants that have lined up for permission to resume business may face some challenges on the manpower front, as some of them had to let go of their employees in the wake of the uncertainty.
Owners of multiple outlets that TOI spoke to said they had already contacted their ex-employees and asked them to rejoin.
Restaurateurs with businesses on Park Street, Camac Street, Theatre Road, JL Nehru Road, and Topsia, who have also applied, will get the nod soon, civic officials said. "All those who submit the indemnity bond and have necessary papers in place will be given permission to reopen. Since the authorities have decided that these restaurants should be operational by Durga Puja, we will not deny nod," said a KMC buildings dept official.
While the restaurants have until Sept 15 to apply for permission to reopen, they will have to take corrective measures, including installing fire safety equipment, regularising rooftop structures, and renewing documents within three months. The bond they are required to submit now absolves the KMC and its officials of any liability related to risk, damage, safety incidents, loss of life or property, or litigation of any kind.
After three months, a joint team will visit the restaurants to check whether the owner has dismantled the old structure, restricted the business within 50% space, and adhered to the other guidelines mentioned in the SOP.