2 hrs ago

West Bengal Tightens Rules for Hotels in Residential Buildings

West Bengal is checking hotels more carefully after two deadly fires.

The government says hotels cannot operate in homes or apartments unless the buildings are legally approved for hotel use.

Hotels in central Kolkata may need permission to change their buildings from residential to commercial use.

The government has also told hotels and restaurants to apply for fire licences within 30 days.

Businesses that do not apply could face legal action.

Officials say they do not want to close all hotels and restaurants.

Instead, they want them to use approved buildings and follow fire-safety rules.

Inspections found that some places did not have enough staircases or proper emergency exits.

The new checks are meant to make hotels safer for guests and workers.

Key facts

Fire-licence deadline: Hotels and restaurants have 30 days to apply for mandatory fire licences.
Building-use requirement: Hotels in residential buildings must obtain conversion of sanctioned use under applicable Kolkata Municipal Corporation provisions.
Central Kolkata fire: A fire on August 19 killed nine people and led to around 80 people being rescued.
Other fire: A hotel fire in the Tarapith-Rampurhat area of Birbhum also raised concerns about fire-safety compliance.
Inspected deficiencies: Officials found inadequate staircases and a lack of proper fire exits at some establishments.
Government position: The government said it does not intend to shut hotels and restaurants, but requires legal commercial use and fire-safety compliance.

thestatesman.com · 2 hrs ago