Plans to start rooftop restaurants in Mumbai may continue to remain entangled in the political tussle between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, but terrace restaurants may soon be a reality in the national capital. The Aam Aadmi

Party-led Delhi government, in its quest to boost tourism to Delhi has, of late, taken serious note of the issue.

In a recent letter to Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi's tourism minister Kapil Mishra had urged reviewing the covered area conditionality of the licenses for Delhi's restaurants and to allow food services in open spaces and terraces for such eateries and that the matter should be taken up urgently with Delhi's municipal corporations.

Last month, New Delhi Municipal Council had banned serving of food at rooftops and terraces of restaurants in Connaught Place. Ironically the neighbouring Noida and Gurgoan have several rooftop restaurants.

In his letter, Mishra had mentioned that representatives from the National Restaurant Association of India met Mishra recently to propose that a policy is drafted pertaining to use of open spaces in restaurants.

However, in Mumbai, a policy on rooftop restaurants is in limbo. While the idea had gained popular ground with the Sena, in its venture to improve the city's nightlife – which in turn would promote tourism – its alliance partner in the BMC had strongly opposed it, saying it is 'against the city's culture'. The policy still awaits clearance of the BMC's improvement committee, following which it needs to be cleared by the civic general body.

Talking about tourism and the issue of terrace restaurants in the city, Mumbai's Samajwadi Party scion and president of the Restaurants Owners Association Farhan Azmi said Mumbai has lost to Delhi in this aspect and it is nice that Delhi is encouraging terrace restaurants. "Internal politics within the ruling parties is to blame for this. The politicians lack the will to make this happen there, even though they intend to make Mumbai a global city," Azmi said.