Amid the ongoing sealing drive in the capital, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued notices to around 13 restaurants, cafes and pubs in Khan Market and Connaught Place (CP) for violating public health license, including public nuisance, hygiene, and fire safety. The civic body had earlier issued notices to nine establishments in CP for fire safety violations, of which one has been sealed for not complying with the rules.
"We have given these establishments a week's time to comply with the rules. While some of these do not have adequate sewage control mechanism, the others do not have NOCs from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS). An inspection of all the units in these markets is being conducted to check public health violations," said a senior NDMC official.
According to officials, the notices have been issued under section 333 of the NDMC Act, 1994, which empowers the civic body to take "action" against commercial establishments including eateries, bars, restaurants and cafes (where food is sold) if they are found in "contravention of licenses".
"There were surprise inspections by the fire department; they found some shortcomings and asked us to fix them. For instance, there was an encroachment in one of the fire exits. We have fixed the things they had asked us to and have also got a re-inspection of the place done," said Ajit Ajmani, owner, My Bar in CP.
Another owner of a cafe in Khan Market said on condition of anonimity, "I wasn't aware of the notice. I will have to check with the staff."
The NDMC had sealed the Playboy Cafe in CP earlier this week for not having a valid fire safety certificate.
Additionally, 21 rooftop bars and restuarnts in CP were shut down last February after two incidents of roof collapse occurred within ten days.
The NDMC is a civic body catering to Lutyen's Delhi housing the country's most powerful. Both Khan Market and CP are upscale commercial complexes having turned into hubs of food and night life.
SEALED
Continuing with the sealing drive in the city, the North Corporation on Thursday sealed 87 properties under its jurisdiction. The areas include New Rajendra Nagar, Shankar Market and Karol Bagh, among others.
