Mumbai:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is likely to take a decision next week on retaining barricades near the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, the targets of the 26/11 terror attacks.
"We need to consider the security issues and then take an appropriate decision. We will look into the recommendations made by the police and take a decision next week," Additional Municipal Commissioner A K Singh said.
Following the terror attacks, the hotels had installed barricades for security reasons.
In June, the BMC issued show cause notices to the hotels, asking them to explain why barricades have been put outside their premises.
"The barricades were put up while renovation of these hotels was underway. Even after completion of the work some time back, they were not removed. Whether barricades are still required is yet to be known," Singh said.
Congress corporator Vinod Shekhar from Colaba in south Mumbai said BMC should immediately remove the barricades and fine the two luxury hotels for blocking city roads.
"I understand the hotels' viewpoint that security cannot be compromised but I feel that public road should not be encroached upon for the same. They are free to put up barricades within their premises," Shekar said.
Shekar has proposed that the Taj Hotel be charged Rs 4.91 crore as penalty for occupying 1,352.31 sq metres and Oberoi should be charged Rs 1.4 crore for occupying about 413.35 sq metres of space.