Kolkata: The shooting on the Baghajatin house rooftop during a drinking session has revived a debate on the use of rooftops in residential buildings for drinking parties, a bone of contention at hundreds of apartments.The friction pits individual recreational freedom against collective right to peace, safety and hygiene, forcing many resident welfare associations (RWAs) and housing management committees to redraft bylaws to redress the grievance. “I do hold parties on the terrace. As long as only residents of the building and extended family members are involved, there’s no issue. But sometimes problems arise when outsiders join in whom some of us do not know,” said Saikat Ganguly (54), a bank employee living at a five-storey building in Patuli. “Unlike in condos, our security system is not foolproof. One of us locks the main gate at night. Hence, safety concerns remain.” But not all, especially the young, are ready to let go of get-togethers on rooftops. “I will oppose any attempt at curbing partying on terraces. My friends come over to my place only because my terrace offers the sky to them. The Baghajatin incident is an aberration,” said a 26-year-old youth living in an apartment in Golpark.The primary reason behind the disputes is the impact on the quality of life for residents in the buildings, especially those staying in the flats directly beneath communal terraces. Noise from loud music, dance and shouts till late at night often disturbed the peace, said one such resident.Furthermore, many are against littering, spilled alcohol and sometimes even vomit from over-enthusiastic drinkers in shared spaces. Such littering necessitated additional maintenance, claimed a section of residents.Safety and liability risks have also emerged as critical concerns for building administrations. “Alcohol consumption in elevated areas increases the risk of accidental falls, especially in older buildings, where terrace railings may not comply with modern safety codes,” said an RWA member in Bhowanipore. “Beyond personal injury, excessive foot traffic and liquid spills can damage waterproofing layers, leading to structural seepage in homes below. Unauthorised use of electrical equipment for music or lighting, along with smoking, poses fire hazards that can obstruct emergency exit points and fire stairs.” But party-animals pointed out terraces gave them a private recreational space in this busy city. Representatives from several housing associations said as long as legal decibel limits were maintained and activities remained within private properties, external interference was a violation of privacy rights. “We do not accept the overreach of self-appointed guardians of morality. We are using a restricted amount of space and not stopping its use by other stakeholders,” said a New Alipore resident. They pointed out social drinking or music at private events should not be equated with criminal activity. Legal experts backed the sentiment, noting police and local bodies must distinguish between genuine public nuisance and the lawful use of private properties.
