Following a tragic accident in Kalyaninagar, the spotlight has turned on the presence of pubs and rooftop restaurants in Pune, revealing a concerning gap in oversight by the municipal corporation. Surprisingly, the corporation has no official records regarding the number of pubs operating within the city limits. This revelation raises questions about the regulation and monitoring of nightlife establishments, particularly in light of recent events.
The municipal administration’s stance is puzzling, as they only approve restaurants based on construction regulations, leaving the status of pubs ambiguous. They suggest that the police or district administration might possess this crucial information, indicating a lack of coordination or communication between relevant authorities.
In contrast, the Municipal Corporation does maintain records of rooftop hotels and has taken action against unauthorized ones. In a proactive move in January, they alerted the police to take necessary action against such establishments. However, the recent accident in Kalyaninagar, where a speeding car collided with pedestrians leaving a pub early Sunday morning, has brought the issue of pub oversight to the forefront, revealing a significant gap in information.
The absence of separate records for pubs underscores the challenges in monitoring and regulating nightlife activities effectively. While the municipality rigorously scrutinizes documentation before granting permission for restaurant operations, their oversight appears to falter when it comes to activities inside these establishments.
Nevertheless, the municipality does possess data on rooftop hotels, revealing a concerning trend. There are reportedly 89 unofficial rooftop hotels in the city, with seven of them receiving notices under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1949. Actions have been taken against 53 rooftop hotels, including voluntary dismantling of structures by six hotel owners and the cessation of operations in seven establishments. Moreover, stay orders have been issued for an additional seven hotels, reflecting the severity of the violations.
The construction and development department has also reported instances of criminal activities associated with nine hotels, further highlighting the need for robust oversight and enforcement measures.
