After the recent episode of the collapse of two portions of buildings in Connaught Place, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the civic body for governing Lutyen's Delhi, is being extra cautious in granting fresh health licences to restaurants, cafes, and other eateries in the area. It has also become wary of renewing existing licences.
Of the 109 applications received for either granting or renewing of licences this month, it has rejected around 24 for not having clearances of fire and structural stability.
The two incidents that occurred in February this year included the roof of a popular resto-bar, the Unplugged Courtyard and the roof and wall above the Jain Book agency where construction for a new pub was going on.
According to officials, this is the first time since 2007 that the clause of 'structural stability' has been added under the issuance of health licence.
"Until 2007 the clause used to be there with the health department, but it was later removed. It is only now after the roof collapse that the clause has been added again to make sure there are no lapses," said a senior NDMC official.
For instance, one of the applications by a popular coffee chain for grant of licence on the first and second floors in a building in Khan Market was rejected, as the Council's enforcement department had previously ordered demolition of these two floors under sections 247 of the NDMC Act, 1994.
In another such case an international fast food chain wanting to renew its licence in Scindia House was rejected for not having a fire clearance. "The establishments whose applications have been rejected have been given time to get the requisite clearances to avoid cancellation in the due course of time," the official said.
According to the NDMC Act, it does not allow the use of terrace/balconies for any kind of commercial activity.
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