Sealing crackdown was in its 2nd day: Total number of commercial establishments facing action is 24 so far
The sealing crackdown continued in upscale Khan Market on the second day on Tuesday when the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) sealed terraces and open spaces of 16 popular restaurants and shops on the first and second floors.
The total number of commercial establishments facing the action is 24 so far. The drive started around 11:30 am and concluded late on 6:30 pm.
The drive, which is to continue on Wednesday as well, is being conducted on the directions of the Supreme Court-appointed three-member Monitoring Committee to crackdown on 'illegal' constructions.
The 16 establishments coming under the hammer include The Big Chill Cafe, Civil House, Blue Door Cafe, Craft Kitchen, Charter House, La Bodela, Mama Goto, Town Hall, Parallel and Fab India, among others.
The NDMC officials said that it was a mass drive in which they are conducting a door to door inspection, which will continue till all the outlets are checked.
"We have not picked any set number of outlets. The enforcement team as per orders of the Monitoring Committee will go door to door to see if there are any violations of encroachment or unauthorised construction," said a senior NDMC official.
The action has been taken under section 250 of the NDMC Act, 1994, according to which use of terraces/rooftops/open spaces for commercial purposes is a violation of building norms, against which the civic body is empowered to take 'sealing' or 'demolition' action.
The sealing order handed over to owners read: "The monitoring committee has ordered sealing of terraces/rooftop being misused in Khan Market..."
However, the owners rued that the drive was unjust while they were not issued any prior notices.
"If we were at fault why didn't the civic body issue us a show-cause notice earlier or took action against us. This is not the way to suddenly come and seal the premises used to house amenities such as water tanks and air conditioners," said a manager of one of the eateries on the condition of anonymity.
The market ranks amongst the most expensive retail destinations in the world.
FACING THE HAMMER
- The drive, which is to continue on Wednesday as well, is being conducted on the directions of the SC-appointed three-member Monitoring Committee to crackdown on ‘illegal’ constructions
- The establishments that came under the hammer include The Big Chill Cafe, Civil House, Blue Door Cafe, Craft Kitchen, Charter House, La Bodela, and Mama Goto, among others
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