Fire NOC Issued in Ahmedabad, Food Courts-Restaurants Without BU Permits to Resume: Accountability for Operators

After the Rajkot fire incident, the state government ordered sealing of establishments in Ahmedabad that operated without Fire NOC and Building Use (BU) permission as per the directive. Over 50 food courts and restaurants across Ahmedabad city were sealed. Municipal Corporation is now granting permissions to reopen all these sealed food courts and restaurants after ensuring compliance with Fire NOC and BU permissions.

Estate Department Inspects Many Food Courts and Restaurants

It is essential for hotels, restaurants, and food courts in areas like Jetpur to have Fire NOC and facilities. Operations will only commence once fire facilities and NOC are in place. Places without these may face closure. Cafes, food courts, or hotel-restaurants without Fire NOC or facilities pose risks to people’s lives. There are numerous food courts-restaurants in makeshift sheds. Now, permission will not be granted without BU permission.

Three Months to Obtain BU Permission

Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Estate) Riddhesh Raval told Divya Bhaskar that food courts and restaurants without Fire NOC and BU permission will have to be sealed. They will require a bond worth Rs. 300 and written on a stamp paper. Operations will begin after obtaining Fire NOC in a month and BU permission in three months.

Risking Lives, No Permissions for Restaurants and Food Courts

Restaurants and food courts without Fire NOC and BU permission have been ordered to comply with the directives, risking public lives. Failure to adhere may lead to closure. The municipal corporation is implementing the policy laxly in areas like SG Highway and Ring Road, where sheds and containers have been converted into food courts or restaurants.

Slow Implementation of Policy

The Municipal Corporation’s Estate Department officials ran to seal restaurants and food courts in various areas after the Rajkot fire. The High Court reviewed their progress. Now, the policy is being implemented slowly.

Permission to Risk Lives

If food courts or cafes run in makeshift sheds, they will have to obtain approval under the impact fee or obtain BU permission within three months.