According to the civic body, the establishment had illegally converted the ground and first floors, meant for a garment shop, into a restaurant bar and wine shop. Similarly, the ground floor space meant for a tailoring shop had been turned into a restaurant and dining area
BMC workers raze the illegal portion of the restaurant in Kamala Mills, Mumbai, on Tuesday. PIC/BMC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday conducted a demolition drive against illegal constructions at an establishment located in the Kamala Mills compound, Lower Parel, and cancelled both its restaurant licences.
According to the civic body, the establishment – ‘Living Liquids’ – had illegally converted the ground and first floors, meant for a garment shop, into a restaurant bar and wine shop. Similarly, the ground floor space meant for a tailoring shop had been turned into a restaurant and dining area.
The action has been taken based on the earlier directions by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi following complaints of unauthorised constructions and encroachments as well as illegally operating restaurants, pubs, and bars in the Kamala Mills area.
On July 31, the Mumbai civic body had conducted demolition drives and seized items from several major outlets in the area.
Continuing its crackdown, BMC conducted joint inspection of the restaurant on Monday and Tuesday. According to the civic body, the inspection revealed several violations — including changes in use, such as converting designated spaces into restaurant and bar areas; covering open spaces in violation of Floor Space Index (FSI) norms; constructing unauthorised roofing on the terrace; building walls without permission; converting areas into cold storage; altering doorway structures; and constructing wooden and glass partitions.
Based on the inspection, a ‘stop work’ notice was issued on Monday to the restaurant, followed by eviction action on Tuesday. The Mumbai civic corporation also cancelled both the restaurant licences of the establishment for alleged unauthorised commercial expansion and operating without a mandatory fire safety certificate, which posed a threat to public safety.
The joint action was carried out under the supervision of Dr Joshi, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 2) Prashant Sapkale, and Assistant Municipal Commissioner (G-South Ward) Swapnaja Kshirsagar. Officials from the civic health, building and factory, and building proposals departments, along with personnel from the State Excise Department, participated in the drive.
In a press release mentioning the details of the demolition drive, the BMC stated that it “remains committed to public safety and strict enforcement of laws” and warned of similar action against irregularities, unauthorised constructions, and encroachments in other parts of the city.
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