RTI findings help residents in fighting against chaotic activity

Wolfing down a sizzling, hot chocolate brownie from the famous Brownie Cottage at Union Park near Carter Road in Khar (W) may tantalise your taste buds, but residents around it have found out that the eatery has been doing business without a licence.
As per the Right to information (RTI) findings by Union Park and YMCA residents, out of the 20 famous eateries in Union Park, 11 have been operating without licence.
Fed up with the growing commercialisation and chaotic traffic conditions till late night due to the presence of the eateries, aggrieved residents decided to fight their battle through RTI.

The information revealed that besides Brownies Cottage, licences have not been granted to Crepe Station, Open Affaires, Grill Cottage, Chef Choice, Coffee World, Mezbaan Sheesha, Maroosh, Carter Blue, Sea Spray Fast Food, Mae B.

Other three eateries - Kareem’s, Kwick Wok and Papa Pancho - are operating beyond their permissive limits. “While Kwick Wok and Papa Pancho have licences for readymade food, they are functioning as restaurants. Kareem’s too has a licence for ice-cream but is functioning as a restaurant,” said Bharati Kakkad, secretary, Union Park Association.

Kakkad further said that the traffic snarls and chaos have vitiated the peaceful atmosphere in Union Park. “Restaurants like Out of the Blue, Olive have licenses, but are using compulsory open spaces to create double capacity for customers. This adds onto the traffic chaos,” said Kakkad.

Residents demand that there should be no further commercialisation of their area and traffic should be regulated in Union Park.

When Rajesh Sharma, director of Crepe Station, was contacted he refused to comment.

When Anwar S, owner of Mezbaan Sheesha, was questioned if he had the licence to conduct business, he said, “I’m not sure. I’ll have to check the documents.”

The manager from Coffee World said, “We’ve applied for the licence and we are in the process of acquiring it. This coffee shop is just four months old.”

However, Romi Chedda, owner from Grill Cottage, claimed that the place was run by someone else and all the necessary documents were in place.

Despite several attempts, Govind Rathod, assistant municipal commissioner, H (W) ward, could not be contacted.