September 15, Monday: Kolkata's once vibrant rooftop dining scene is still struggling to revive. Of the 83 restaurants, bars, and lounges that were ordered to shut down in May, only 20 have applied so far to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for reopening permission, even though they were granted the go-ahead almost a fortnight ago with strict new conditions.
New regulations and increasing challenges
Rooftop restaurants can only open after submitting indemnity bonds promising to adhere to safety protocols within three months, but most owners say that they will take time to meet the requirements.
A major obstacle is the prohibition of gas cylinders, where all cooking is now mandated through electric ovens. The owner of one such restaurant said that electric ovens will create a necessity for an increase in the electricity load, and since the rush on weekends is more, they won't be able to serve food without increasing the electricity capacity.
Representatives from the industry have said that restaurants are reopening late as they desire to ensure absolute adherence to the new standards.
Safety first after a deadly fire
The crackdown was prompted by the April blaze at the Rituraj Hotel in downtown Kolkata that killed 14 people. After the fire, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had urged stricter fire safety enforcement, prompting mayor Firhad Hakim to announce the closure of 83 establishments in May.
The new standard operating procedures (SOPs) have the condition that at least 50% of all rooftops be kept without structures. Road-facing terraces have to be left open to enable the fire department's hydraulic ladders to rescue people in case of an emergency. Hakim also stated that the state government is drafting legislation to declare terraces common property for all residents of a building, not allowing private sales of rooftop portions.
So far, only a small percentage of restaurants have tentatively reopened, while the majority are stuck in limbo, balancing safety improvements versus business revival as the holiday season approaches.
