BMC workers demolish an illegal structure of a restaurant near Churchgate station. (Photo: Shripad Naik)
BMC workers demolish an illegal structure of a restaurant near Churchgate station. (Photo: Shripad Naik)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday took action against several popular eateries in Churchgate by removing the illegal extensions raised by them in the compulsory open spaces. These eateries were found operating their business at these spaces, thus violating the municipal norms, said civic officials.
According to the civic officials, a 48-hour notice had been served to the eateries on June 20, which had covered their compulsory open space. Accordingly, action was taken against Shiv Sagar Restaurant, Salt Water Café and Chopsticks at Veer Nariman Road, as they were found illegally occupying its compulsory open space. The Samrat restaurant, which is also located on the same road, vacated the open space on their own. The BMC had also planned to take action against Kamling, Gaylords and Pizza by the Bay, but they received a stay from the court.
The civic officials demolished the illegal coverings, which had been erected by these eateries. The BMC had initiated the action following the directives of state Lokayukta, who had asked civic body to take action against hotels and restaurants for covering compulsory open spaces. “We asked the eateries to restore the compulsory open space within two days of the receipt of the notice, failing which the same would be demolished by us without any further intimation,” said a civic official.
Assistant municipal commissioner from ‘A’ ward Kiran Dighavkar said, “Most of the restaurants claimed that the covering was for monsoon protection. However we found that they were also serving patrons in these areas.”
