MUMBAI: The city is not likely to have rooftop restaurants anytime soon. BJP and Congress corporators defeated the proposal in the civic improvements committee meeting on Wednesday. BJP corporators termed the policy as being against Indian culture.

The rooftop restaurant policy was discussed after it had been referred back in the previous meeting.

The point that rooftop restaurants were against local culture was brought up by BJP corporator Prakash Gangadhare from T ward.

“Hotels having rooftop restaurants could be a nuisance for those living in the neighbouring localities,” Gangadhare said. “Besides, it could also create parking trouble as several more vehicles of the patrons would be parked there. Security will also be an important issue that would need to be dealt with.”

He was supported by Congress corporator Mohsin Haider, who said that issue involved the opinion of not only the BMC but also the police.

“In fact the police personnel have a bigger role to play,” he said. “We need to take into consideration what their opinion in this matter is before bringing forth a policy.”

The Shiv Sena supported the policy. Its corporator Raju Pednekar said the policy would increase revenue. Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray had tweeted in January: “I spoke to members of the Civic Improvement Committee of BMC and have asked them to soon allow Roof Top Restaurants, officially in Mumbai.”

The MNS supported the policy, but sought changes. Chetan Kadam, corporator from R-Central ward, said the policy should be extended to commercial structures and corporate offices.

The Samajwadi Party favoured the policy. Its youth wing chief Farhan Azmi had met the improvements committee chairman on Tuesday and sought inclusion of commercial buildings in it. Party corporator Ashraf Azmi said amendments were required, but the policy should be passed for now.

Samajwadi Party leader in the BMC Rais Shaikh said a request to bring back the policy would be made.

