Nagpur: Just three months after a kitchen fire erupted at Nanking Restaurant, one of Nagpur's most iconic destinations for authentic Chinese cuisine, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Fire and Emergency Services Department sealed the entire four-storey building on Thursday. The structure, which houses the restaurant and several other commercial establishments, was shut down for persistent fire safety violations.
The action was carried out by Chief Fire Officer Tushar Barahate, with support from Sitabuldi police and the civic administration's anti-encroachment squad. The building, located on Plot No 167, Ravindranath Tagore Marg in Civil Lines, was sealed under provisions of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 (Amended 2023).
Blatant Disregard for Safety
The crackdown has highlighted what officials describe as a prolonged and blatant disregard for fire safety regulations, despite repeated notices, warnings, and opportunities to comply. Ironically, the building continued to operate even after a kitchen fire was reported at the restaurant on March 17, 2024, an incident that should have served as a wake-up call for occupants and authorities.
According to official records, the first fire safety notice was issued on September 30, 2024, directing all occupants to install and maintain mandatory fire prevention and life safety systems. When compliance failed to materialise, the Fire Department escalated the matter by issuing a notice on November 27, 2024, declaring the premises hazardous and directing occupants to vacate the building, Chief Fire Officer Tushar Barahate told TOI.
Despite a series of notices and warnings, the premises remained occupied and operational. The building houses Nanking Restaurant on the ground floor, Bejod Restaurant on the first floor (which also runs a popular dining restaurant called Veggietude), Ramteke Associates on the second floor, Refratherm International Pvt Ltd on the third floor, and Oak Construction on the fourth floor. All occupants were covered under the sealing action.
Unauthorised Construction
Sources said permission was originally granted for a ground-plus-three-storey structure. However, two additional floors were allegedly constructed without approval. Despite a recent direction from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court to act against the unauthorised construction, enforcement by the concerned civic zone remained limited to issuing notices under Section 53 of the MRTP Act.
With alleged disputes among stakeholders delaying corrective action for months, the fire department ultimately stepped in and sealed the entire structure, citing an imminent threat to life and property.
