Mumbai fire: BMC carries out demolition drive against illegal structures in Kamala Mills area

A day after 14 people including 11 women died in a midnight blaze in Mumbai's Kamala Mills, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out demolition drive against illegal structures in the area on Saturday. BMC officials have made a list of restaurants which appear to have flouted the rules and appropriate action will be taken against these restaurants. Sakinaka's Peninsula--a five-star hotel's rooftop restaurant--shut down by Mumbai Fire Brigade on Saturday. It was found flouting fire norms.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) demolition drive against illegal structures in #KamalaMills area of #Mumbai, a fire that broke out here late Thursday night, claimed 14 lives. pic.twitter.com/qODi4TGeae

— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017

December 30: Demolition sites 

Team 1
1)  P -22, Raghuvanshi Mill

2) Sheesha Sky, Raghuvanshi Mill

3) Sway, Atria Mall

Team 2

1) Reconstructed structure in Kamala Mills 
2) Extension in open spaces, Kamala Mills
3) Rooftop hotels in Peninsula Business Park, Peninsula Corporate Park. Apart from these locations, demolition drive will be carried out at other locations too. 

Devendra Jain, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G South ward said on Saturday, "We are inspecting all restaurants in the ward and taking actions against the illegal ones. Demolition has started in Kamla mills and we will continue our actions throughout the day today".

Now, after the Kamala Mills fire, BMC officers have sprung into action. But earlier, despite BMC administration being aware that the restaurants were running illegally in Kamla Mills compound, it delayed action in the name of following standard operating procedure. While F South ward of BMC delayed action against Mojo's Bistro and 1 Above, it took action against four such pub and bars in its jurisdiction on Friday soon after the huge fire reported on the midnight of Friday.

BMC's demolition drive against illegal structures in #KamalaMills area of #Mumbai, a fire that broke out here late Thursday night, claimed 14 lives. pic.twitter.com/w71mc27yP8

— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017

In view of December 31 gathering in various restaurants, all concerned departments have been directed by Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta to form teams which should include fire staff to inspect all restaurants. The teams must ensure that the restaurants are fire compliant. All the fire escape routes, staircases, and open spaces should be encroachment-free. 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already ordered an inquiry into the incident.  The  police on Saturday issued a lookout notice against all the accused in the case. Also, as a preventive measure, airports across the country have been put on high-alert and five teams of the Mumbai Police have been formed to search for the accused.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday took a stock of the situation and ordered a BMC commissioner to conduct an inquiry. Five BMC officials were suspended and the Mumbai Police booked the owner of the pub for negligence, besides other charges.