A major safety crackdown in Kolkata has exposed significant shortcomings in the city's popular rooftop dining scene. A joint team comprising officials from the fire services department, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), and the police conducted surprise checks at these establishments, uncovering widespread anomalies that owners must urgently rectify to remain operational.
Widespread Non-Compliance Found in Safety Drive
The 10-day inspection drive, which began on December 9, was aimed at assessing fire safety measures. The findings were alarming: most of the 83 restaurants surveyed have failed to upgrade their systems to meet mandatory standards. A buildings department source indicated that only a handful of eateries in prime areas like the Chowringhee-Camac Street-Theatre Road belt and parts of the Gariahat-Ballygunge belt were up to the mark.
The inspections were based on upgraded fire-safety norms laid down by a special task force before Durga Puja. These norms were a prerequisite for allowing rooftop restaurants to reopen. Key mandatory measures include:
- Keeping 50% of the terrace space open to serve as a fire refuge area.
- Ensuring shades and canopies are constructed from non-inflammable materials.
- Prohibiting cooking on open fire on the rooftop.
- Banning the storage of gas cylinders on the rooftop.
- Keeping staircases leading to the terraces completely free of clutter for emergency access.
Restaurants Caught Off Guard, Official Warnings Issued
According to a KMC official, the inspections caught most restaurant owners unprepared. The official provided a breakdown of the findings, stating that while upgrade work in some restaurants was satisfactory, many were still in the process of making changes. Most concerning was that in 50% of the cases, the fire safety upgrade work was deemed far from satisfactory.
"While those who have tried to upgrade the fire safety measures and can wrap up the work in the near future are being appreciated, the others who are trailing have been warned," said a KMC official. The civic body is preparing a comprehensive report on the status of fire safety measures in all rooftop restaurants, which will be submitted to the special task force by the end of the year for further action.
The Path Forward: Comply or Face Closure
The message from authorities is clear. The joint drive underscores a zero-tolerance approach towards safety lapses in public spaces. Restaurant owners have been put on notice: they must expedite compliance with the stipulated norms or risk severe consequences, including potential shutdowns. This initiative highlights the ongoing effort by Kolkata's civic and safety authorities to prioritize public safety in the city's vibrant hospitality sector.
