Mumbai pub fire: BMC continues crackdown on illegal structures

The Mumbai civic body continued to raze unauthorised structures of restaurants, hotels and other food joints for the third day today, after a fire in an upscale pub claimed 14 lives on Friday.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which initiated the mega demolition drive two days ago, has decided to adopt a strict stand and not heed to requests by pubs and hotel owners to delay the action in view of New Year celebrations.

"We want to remove every unauthorised structure at restaurants, pubs, malls, food joints, other eateries and hotels. We are asking managers or owners of such properties to remove it on their own or else we will bring it down," BMC spokesperson Ram Dotonde said.

He said their teams on the field have the documents of structures which are unauthorised or illegal.

"Hardly any manager or owner is opposing our action as we have proof," Dotonde said.

He said BMC teams will continue with their work of razing illegal structures and a detailed report will be compiled by the evening.

Another BMC official said, "We are using this opportunity to remove maximum unauthorised structures. Some pub and hotel owners used to request us to delay the action, especially during New Year celebrations. But this time the BMC has decided not to listen to such requests, and take action."  -- PTI