Shade collapse at illegal rooftop eatery sparks safety concerns

Ranchi: A portion of a sunshade at an illegally operating rooftop restaurant in Kadru collapsed during a strong storm on Monday evening, once again raising concerns over structural safety and regulatory enforcement.

The incident occurred amid gusty winds and rain, when the open rooftop shed gave way and fell onto vehicles parked below. Several vehicles were damaged, with visible dents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

“The wind was very strong and there was a power cut. The guard went to switch on the generator, which probably saved lives. Because of the rain, most people were inside under shelter,” said Gajendra, a local resident who witnessed the incident.

The issue had earlier drawn the attention of the Jharkhand high court, which expressed displeasure over rooftop establishments functioning without approved building plans and directed strict action. Following the court’s intervention, the RMC initiated enforcement drives, including issuing notices and ordering closures. Officials confirmed that on Feb 21, 2025, this particular restaurant was among those directed to shut down for operating without approval, though action was later halted.

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) last year identified 36 such establishments and ordered their closure. However, only three — Dhunki, Mocha and Anardana — subsequently secured valid licences. RMC additional administrator Sanjay Kumar said enforcement is guided by multiple safety checkpoints, including structural stability, load-bearing capacity, fire safety compliance and adherence to building bylaws. “A detailed inspection is currently underway following the incident. Further action will be taken based on findings,” he said. Despite past crackdowns, enforcement appears inconsistent, with several rooftop establishments continuing to operate. This raises concerns over monitoring mechanisms and public safety preparedness. “Notices and crackdowns happen, but things go back to normal after a while. Unless there is continuous monitoring and strict action, such incidents will keep happening,” said Nirmala Das, a resident of Kadru.

A detailed probe is currently underway following the incident. Further action will be taken based on findings