BMC Crack Down After Kamla Mill Fiasco: 314 Demolitions In Mumbai, Lookout Notice For Three Bar Owners

In a knee-jerk reaction to the blaze at two illegal resto-bars in the Kamla Mills compound that killed 14 people, the BMC on Saturday undertook a massive demolition drive and pulled down illegal extensions of 314 restaurant-bar-pubs and hookah parlours and sealed seven restaurants for gross violations. In an action that was simultaneously carried out in various suburbs, illegal encroachment of popular restaurant-pubs were demolished. The action, which resulted in the seizure of 417 gas cylinders, will continue next week as well, said civic officials.

Police have issued lookout notices against three partners of 1Above, the resto-bar where all the deaths took place, and registered a fresh case for violating town planning norms.

BCCL

Around a dozen restaurant-bars that faced action were in the Kamla Mills Compound itself. Establishments in the Raghuvanshi Mills Compound and the Phoenix Mall, too, were targeted. These mills shut down over three decades back and have now transformed into commercial hubs and/or residential buildings. But as Friday's fire exposed, many eateries have illegal extensions or practice.

ALSO READ: Two Sisters Succumbed To Mumbai Fire As They Didn't Know The Restaurant Had Opened Rear Exit

On Friday , the fire started at an illegal roof-top 1-Above resto-bar at Kamla Mills compound, killing 14 people. The restaurant had encroached the open terrace area and covered it with tarpaulin and bamboos for use as a resto-bar. It proved to be a deadly fire trap for the 14 victims, who suffocated to death in the fire. Civic chief Ajoy Mehta immediately formed local-level teams to identify and act against such violations¡ªmore so because of the December 31year-end gatherings scheduled at hip joints. The officials were asked to inspect all restaurants and ensure they were fire compliant, and act against those who don't have fire escape routes and staircases or had encroached the compulsory open areas.

PTI

A senior officer said the BMC is yet to conclude the cause of fire and are exploring three angles: an fire liquor show, use of hookah or a short circuit.

The drive began on Saturday morning and a total of 624 establishments located in malls, hotels or mill compounds were inspected. The BMC found 314 violated rules and took action against them. Many of these establishment had decorated their illegally encroached terrace premises to celebrate New Year eve, but dropped their plans after the BMC action.

Some of the establishments had committed gross violations and coverted their terraces into pubs or resto-bars. Action was also taken against illegal extensions at the iconic Wilson Gymkhana, Islam Gymkhana, Catholic Gymkhana and Parsi Gymkhana on the Marine Drive.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Civic Agencies Finally Wake Up To Raze Illegal Construction After Fire At Kamala Mills

BCCL

The BMC officials also found gross violations in the premises of the KFC Mall on Liking Road, Bandra, and are examining if they can seal the premises.

As per the rules, the BMC has to issue a notice to violators before initiating any action against illegal encroachment, but the Saturday drive was sudden due to the fire tragedy. A senior BMC official justified the action after stating that most of these establishment had faced action in the past for similar violations. ``So we don't need to serve them notice before initiating the action for the second time,'' he said.