RANCHI: In a first, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Monday drafted rules for rooftop bars and restaurants operating in the city.
The move comes after the owners of 33 rooftop bars and restaurants were handed over closure notices for running without authorisation.
The civic body has posted the draft, titled ‘Regulation for Rooftop Restaurants, Bars and Eating Joints in Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi’, on its website and sought suggestions and grievances from people before March 27.
The draft proposes that restaurants will be permitted to operate in land use zones as provided in the Jharkhand Building Byelaws-2016.
“Only temporary construction will be allowed on the rooftops and fire-proof material should be used for structural parts and interiors. A structural safety certificate must be obtained from certified engineers regarding the usage of non-combustible materials for the temporary structure constructed and the additional load-bearing capacity of the existing building. The certificate should be renewed yearly after due checking,” the draft stated.
The draft strictly restricts cooking and preparation of eatables in the open space, rooftop, and part of the rooftop, as well as the use of inflammable material on the rooftop. However, liquor storage is allowed with permission from the excise department.
The draft further stated, “Cooking using LPG stoves and coal etc., or an open flame may be carried out on the lower floor. The rooftop area designated for use as a restaurant must strictly adhere to the sanctioned building plan, and no extensions or projections beyond the rooftop boundaries will be allowed. The restaurant owners will also have to obtain an NOC from the Airport Authority of India, if required.”
The use of separate dustbins for dry and wet waste for proper disposal of solid waste has been made mandatory in the draft regulation, along with ensuring proper sound insulation and banning loud music on terraces to avoid disturbances on the lower floors and nearby buildings.
RMC additional administrator Sanjay Kumar said, “The regulations on rooftop restaurants, bars, and eating joints have been drafted for the first time. RMC will provide a no-objection certificate to the restaurant owners only if all compliances are met as per the regulations.”
