Rooftop eateries legal now

Mumbaikars can now enjoy parties on the terraces of commercial buildings and hotels. In a boost to tourism and hotel industry in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allowed rooftop restaurants in commercial buildings and terraces of residential hotels in its revised draft Development Plan (DP) 2034.

According to the civic officials, there have been several rooftop restaurants in the city, especially in South Mumbai, but they have been operating illegally. A provision in DP would provide them an authorised status, they said.

In its revised draft DP, the BMC has said that in case of fully commercial buildings, including buildings of residential hotels, terraces may be permitted to be used as restaurants. However, no construction, temporary or permanent, except the service platform and toilet block, will be allowed on the terrace.

The DP guidelines say that on rooftop restaurants common terraces shall not be sub-divided and shall be accessible by a common staircases/lift. The terraces may be used for additional recreational green area, provided that the terrace shall be designed and made impervious, considering recreational green area.

The terraces will also serve as community open spaces for the occupants of the building. The overhang of terrace to the extent of 1.20 metres beyond building line subject to requirement of open spaces has also been allowed from elevation point of view, says the draft DP. Following a memorandum submitted by the Association of Hotels and Restaurants, the BMC had framed a policy allowing hotels to serve food and liquor on terraces and even host parties. But the issue has been mired in political crossfire for the past couple of years.