NMC Finally Acts: Nanking Restaurant, Building Sealed Over Fire Safety Lapses

Nagpur: Barely 3 months after a fire broke out in the kitchen of Nanking Restaurant, one of Nagpur's most iconic destinations for authentic Chinese cuisine, the NMC's Fire and Emergency Services Department on Thursday sealed the entire 4-storey building housing the restaurant and several commercial establishments for persistent fire safety violations.The action was carried out by chief fire officer Tushar Barahate with support from Sitabuldi police and the civic administration's anti-encroachment squad. The building, located on Plot No 167, Ravindranath Tagore Marg in Civil Lines, was sealed under provisions of Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 (Amended 2023).The crackdown has put the spotlight on what officials describe a prolonged and blatant disregard for fire safety regulations despite repeated notices, warnings and opportunities to comply. Ironically, the building continued to operate even after a kitchen fire was reported at the restaurant on March 17 this year, an incident that should have served as a wake-up call for occupants and authorities.According to official records, the first fire safety notice was issued on September 30, 2024, directing all occupants to install and maintain mandatory fire prevention and life safety systems. "When compliance failed to materialise, the Fire Department escalated the matter by issuing a notice on November 27, 2024, declaring the premises hazardous and directing occupants to vacate the building," chief fire officer Tushar Barahate told TOI.Despite series of notices and warnings, the premises continued to remain occupied and operational. The building houses Nanking Restaurant on ground floor, Bejod Restaurant on first floor which too runs a popular dinning restaurant Veggietude, Ramteke Associates on second floor, Refratherm International Pvt Ltd on third floor and Oak Construction on the fourth floor. All occupants were covered under the sealing action.Sources said permission was originally granted for a ground-plus-three-storey structure. However, 2 additional floors were allegedly constructed, without approval. Despite a recent direction from Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court to act against the unauthorised construction, enforcement by concerned civic zone remained limited to issuing notices under Section 53 of the MRTP Act.With alleged disputes among stakeholders delaying corrective action for months, the fire department ultimately stepped in and sealed the entire structure, citing imminent threat to life and property.