The Madras High Court has asked officials to explain why restaurants that flout rules and create problems for residents should be allowed to function.
The court has directed the Joint Commissioner, Traffic, and the Deputy Commissioner of the Chennai Corporation to appear before it on January 30 in connection with a public interest litigation petition for closure of restaurants that flout rules.
The petitioner, S. Ragu of Vyasarpadi, has said restaurants are supposed to follow various norms under the Madras City Police Act and the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act. According to the Madras City Police Act, anyone proposing to establish a restaurant should get a licence from the Police Commissioner. It is meant to ensure that there is no problem to traffic in the area and there is enough parking space.
The petitioner says 15 restaurants in Chennai are functioning without adequate parking facilities.
