No fire NOC? Thane civic body to start sealing hotels from Monday

There will be no action on Kothari compound as most establishments constructed before December 2015 can be legalised

Hotels that have not complied with the fire-safety norms and not applied for a no-objection certificate will face the municipal corporation’s action from Monday.

The TMC had served notices to the establishments at Kothari compound thrice. (HT FILE)

The Thane municipal commissioner has informed that the hotels that have not complied with the fire-safety norms will be sealed from Monday. The extended deadline for obtaining the fire NOC ended on Saturday.

There will be no action on the Kothari compound as most establishments constructed before December 2015 can be legalised.

The general body had taken up the issue of fire safety in hotels for discussion in the meeting held on Saturday. Around 490 hoteliers had taken application from the fire department for NOC, however not many have re-submitted it even after the deadline.

Civic commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal said, “In the last three years we have taken action against many hotels, pubs, hookah parlours and lodges in the city. From Monday, we will start sealing the hotels which did not apply for the fire NOC or comply with the fire-safety norms. In the first phase, we will target hotels with an area of 500 sqft or more. Smaller hotels will be sealed in the second phase.”

The issue of Kothari compound came up for discussion in the general body meeting on Saturday.

BJP corporator Mrunal Pendse said, “While most illegal bars, lounges and hotels in the city are targeted, the Kothari compound is being backed by the corporation. There has been no action against the compound despite 13 fire incidents. The fire department has claimed that the establishment may pose a threat to life but still they are thriving. The corporation has the right to seal them under section 376 (A) of the Municipal Corporation Act, though only notices have been issued so far.”

The TMC had served notices to the establishments at Kothari compound thrice. A 90-day notice was served in September which ended on December 25. The second was served after the Kamala Mills fire and the third notice was served 15 days ago.

Jaiswal added, “We will have to follow the legal procedure. As per the GR on illegal constructions issued in October 2017, the establishments constructed before December 2015 can be legalised if they fit into certain parameters. The establishments in Kothari compound which are illegal or have changed the user status from godown to hotel, can file an application and get them legalised by paying a compounding fee. Once legalised, they can also comply with the fire- safety norm and get a fire NOC.”

The corporators demanded that a one-member committee be formed to inquire into the illegalities in the Kothari compound. Mayor Meenakshi Shinde said that as the TMC has said it would take action, so the committee is not needed.