Rooftop restos: KMC plans surprise checks to catch reopen-rule flouting
Times of India | 10 October 2025A civic official said the purpose of the visits is to check whether the owners of these restaurants have applied for reopening by submitting an indemnity bond or have resumed operations without permission.
Civic officials will also check whether the reopened restaurants are following fire safety norms. When permission was granted to reopen, the KMC had specified that only half of the terrace could be used, with the remaining area kept free as a fire refuge.
Live cooking using fire was prohibited on rooftops, and gas cylinders were not to be stored there.
A source in the KMC said on Thursday that out of 83 rooftop restaurants, owners of 21 restaurants had applied before the Sept 15 deadline.
"We gave restaurant owners a chance to revive their businesses. While some responded, others have remained silent. We understand that a few may still be struggling due to financial or logistical issues.
But we need to ensure that no one has taken advantage of the festive season to reopen without submitting the required indemnity bond," an official said.
The department received the first application for reopening from a rooftop restaurant owner on JL Nehru Road on Aug 30. Thereafter, another 20 owners applied for reopening of their establishments by submitting indemnity bonds. Most applications were submitted by owners who operate their businesses on Park Street, Camac Street, Theatre Road, JL Nehru Road and Topsia under borough VII.
According to KMC buildings department records, there are 28 rooftop restaurants under borough VII, of which around 50% have applied for reopening.
According to a civic official, the owners of rooftop facilities were given an opportunity to submit an indemnity bond, and based on the declaration, they could reopen their establishments after Sept 15. Those who were allowed to reopen were told to take corrective measures, including fire safety, regularisation of the rooftop structures and renewal of trade licences within three months of submission of the indemnity bond.
Hopes for reopening the city's rooftop restaurants before Durga Puja were revived when the state fire safety task force finally gave its approval. This clearance came with the condition that owners submit an undertaking to follow specific fire safety norms required for reopening.
One of the key fire safety requirements for restaurant owners is to keep the staircase leading to the roof completely free of encroachments, ensuring that other occupants can access the terrace safely in case of an emergency.
State urban development minister and city mayor Firhad Hakim, who also chairs the task force, said a joint team from the state fire services department and the KMC will survey rooftop restaurants after three months. Any violation of fire safety norms, he added, could lead to the closure of these establishments.
