We have been campaigning against basement eateries as they are a major fire hazard that would risk human lives. This illegal activity is also against the landmark Karnataka High Court order against restaurants of more than two decades ago.
Finally, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has listened, or so it appears. In HSR Layout, the civic authority has so far issued 70 closure notices against basements establishments, be it shops or restaurants, including the new eateries that have opened: Wicked Cup and Charcoal Eats on 27th Main Road, which we reported about yesterday.
After several stories on basements eateries in Residents Watch, the BBMP has been shutting down basement eateries over the last year. The first to go was Raghavendra Coffee House on 24th Main Road, and the next was Truffles on 27th Main Road. However, despite our constant mentions, Bansuri Sweets was never shutdown despite being issued multiple closure notices by the BBMP. However, this eatery on 27th Main Road is finally shut down.
Agreed that the shopkeepers are losing money, but they should not have been ignorant of the law. The moral of the story is this: Just because other businesses are conducting their business illegally does not mean you can too. If the axe of the law falls, it will fall on everybody; some might get it sooner like Raghavendra Coffee House, and some late, like Bansuri Sweets. But the axe will fall eventually. Therefore, we urge every contractor, engineer, and landlord to ensure the basements are meant for parking and there are enough setbacks to ensure the fire-safety of its inhabitants. There should not be any fire mishap like it happened last year in the Paatra Bhandaar building on 27th Main Road.
