BENGALURU: In a crackdown on illegal rooftop bars in the city, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued closure notices to 49 such bars. Though the exact number of such bars in the city are not known, BBMP’s health wing officials estimate it is are more than 100. The majority of them fall under BBMP’s East Zone which includes areas such as Brigade Road, M. G. Road and Indiranagar.
BBMP’s Zonal Health Officer (East) Dr Siddappaji told Deccan Chronicle, “In East Zone alone we have identified 49 illegal rooftop bars and slapped them with closure notices. Right from the day of they receive the notice, they will have only seven days to close down their operations. If not, we are armed with the provision to seal the premise, register an FIR, cancel their trade licence (if obtained) and even fine them for up to Rs 5 lakh (or more, to be decided by the Mayor and Joint Commissioners).”
“As per the BBMP rules, there should be no temporary structures on the rooftop. Over 99 percent of the rooftop bars and pubs have erected temporary pillars made of metal, wood or bamboos, which is against the law," Siddappaji added.
He further said that rooftop bars which have permanent structures as per the building plan sanctioned by BBMP, adhering to all safety procedures with a valid trade licence will only be allowed to function. The rest have no other option but to shut their operation.
Dr Lokesh, Chief Public Health Officer of BBMP said that the crackdown on such establishments will continue. “We have directed our officials to find illegal rooftop bars across the city and told them to initiate action to close down such outlets," he added.
