Pune: PMC demolishes unauthorized rooftop restaurants in Kharadi
Pune: PMC demolishes unauthorized rooftop restaurants in Kharadi ( Representational Image )
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) executed a demolition drive on Friday, targeting two rooftop restaurants operating without proper permissions in the Kharadi area. These establishments spread over approximately 8,000 square feet were found to be in violation of civic regulations.
A PMC city engineer stated, “The civic administration is surveying food joints on open terraces and conducting demolition drives simultaneously. We will revoke building permissions if serious violations by rooftop restaurants are found.”
The administration plans to verify whether the constructions of these rooftop eateries were carried out according to the sanctioned plans and to inspect any violations of side and front margin rules. Properties with additional or covered constructions will also face action. The demolition drives will continue across the city in the coming days.
Civic officials noted that the focus of the drive will be on repeat offenders, particularly those rooftop restaurants demolished last year. In 2023, a major blaze gutted several rooftop restaurants in Aundh and Lullanagar, prompting a crackdown by the PMC.
During that drive, 89 rooftop restaurants were identified, with 53 demolished and operators of six demolishing their own properties. Seven eateries were closed under court orders, nine had criminal offenses filed against them for violating norms, and seven were granted permission to operate.
The Food and Drugs Administration and the Excise Department are responsible for issuing licenses to operate food joints, while the PMC ensures that these establishments comply with sanctioned building plans.
A senior official from PMC’s property tax department mentioned, “There have been complaints about changes in the use of properties across civic areas — many were converted from residential to commercial purposes, including restaurants. The administration will also take action by imposing commercial property tax on such properties and slapping three times the fine.”
