BBMP issues closure orders for rooftop bars failing to follow fire safety norms

The BBMP on Tuesday began issuing closure orders to rooftop pubs and restaurants that flouted fire safety norms.

It acted on a letter from the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services last week seeking its help to withdraw trade licenses of about 30 rooftop pubs and bars that failed to comply with safety norms.  The KSFES also wrote to Bescom to stop the supply of power to the establishments.

Soumendu Mukherjee, IGP and Additional Director General, KSFES, said: "These rooftop pubs and restaurants have not complied with fire safety norms despite being issued notices two or three times. They are running their establishments by endangering people's lives. Hence, we have asked two government agencies to withdraw their licence and cut the power supply."

Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner (health and solid waste management), BBMP, said he had ordered his officers to cancel the trade licences of the rooftop bars.  M N Lokesh, chief health officer, BBMP, said: "We have been given two days to issue cancel orders to these establishments. Some of them have already received closure orders. We are acting against rooftop bars in all zones."