1982 to 2010,revolving Games restaurant to open soon

The restaurant — now fitted with the revolving technology — will open by the Commonwealth Games next year.

Present owner Mahesh Kapur,who took the tower on lease from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in 1997,said: “It was not a revolving restaurant when it opened; but had a great view of the city. We equipped it with the technology in 2004.”

Situated on level 1 of the tower,the restaurant remained shut because the Fire department objected to the narrow staircases. Kapur said: “We renovated the premises in 2004 and were ready to launch a new restaurant and a pub,but we did not get a permit from the Fire department. The staircases built in 1982 were smaller and do not conform to present building by-laws.” Kapur’s company,Jhankaar Banquets,can approach the Fire department again,and through the DDA,once it widens the staircase.

There is help,however,from Lieutenant Governor Tejender Khanna. In a DDA meet last month,Khanna directed DDA to make the restaurant operational by the Commonwealth Games. The minutes of the meeting record: “DDA should construct a second staircase to its revolving restaurant at the Siri Fort Complex…”

A senior DDA official told Newsline,“The lessee has already been given permission to widen the existing staircase which would ensure the tower gets a permit from the Fire department. The present proprietor has also agreed to bear the costs involved in renovating the premises. It is up to them when they want to begin the work. We can expedite it.”

For now though,the fully furnished restaurant lies empty. “We redesigned it five years ago. We set up a pub with a viewing gallery on the highest level of the tower. We had purchased everything right down to the crockery. As a safety measure against fire,we even set up a reservoir with a capacity to hold 1.5 lakh litres.”

Kapur is waiting for an assurance from the DDA and the Fire department for a licence if he puts the necessary changes in place. “I can begin work right away. It will not take me more than three to four months to complete it,” he said.