HOTELIERS ASK FOR PERMANENT MARGINAL SPACE, THREATEN STIR

VASHI: The tussle between owners of hotels and restaurants in the city and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) over the use of marginal space in front of their premises has revived with hoteliers threatening to go on strike if the issue is not resolved in the next two weeks.

The Navi Mumbai Hotel Owners’ Association (NMHOA) has renewed its 15-year-old demand, asking the civic body to charge them for using the marginal space all through the year.

Municipal commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said, “There is a possibility of the space being used commercially, which will lead to parking and other issues. Hence, a number of residents have opposed the move.”

He added, “There could also be problems in case of fire if the marginal space is not free.”

Waghmare said, “Due to these reasons so far we have not given the permission. However, in future we could consider giving sanction at places where such issues will not prop up.”

Dayanand Shetty, president, NMHOA, said, “Restaurants often face a paucity of space. To cater to the growing number of customers, we have to provide space outside our restaurant for them to wait for their turn, or else they will opt for another restaurant. Who would want to face losses in his business?”

Mahesh Shetty, general secretary, NMHOA, said, “We have assured the civic body that the space will not be used for commercial purposes. However, the civic body is yet to respond to our demand, which will benefit the civic body too.”

Ravindra Shetty, joint secretary, NMHOA, said, “We have once again approached the NMMC. We fail to understand why it has been ignoring us?”

Ravindra said, “If we do not get a positive response from the civic body within the next two weeks, we will call a strike of all the hotels and restaurants in the city.”