Archive · 2 Sep 2026
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.
Hotels operating from residential flats or buildings must obtain sanctioned-use conversion under applicable Kolkata Municipal Corporation rules.
The government has given hotels and restaurants 30 days to apply for mandatory fire licences.
Establishments that fail to apply within the deadline may face legal action.
The scrutiny follows a Central Kolkata fire that killed nine people and a separate hotel fire in Birbhum.
Inspections found safety problems at some establishments, including inadequate staircases and missing proper fire exits.
- Who
- West Bengal Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul, Minister of State for Fire and Emergency Services Kaushik Chowdhury, and hotels and restaurants in the state.
- What
- The government will scrutinize hotels operating from residential premises and enforce building-use conversion and fire-licence requirements.
- When
- The announcement was made on Wednesday; hotels and restaurants have 30 days to apply for mandatory fire licences.
- Where
- West Bengal, particularly central Kolkata areas such as Marquis Street, Mirza Ghalib Street, and Collin Street, as well as the Tarapith-Rampurhat area of Birbhum.
- Why
- The action follows recent fatal fires and inspections that found fire-safety deficiencies at some hospitality establishments.
- 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.