SDMC continues sealing drive against unauthorised commercial properties

NEW DELHI: Intensifying its ongoing sealing drive, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Monday sealed basement and upper floors of 38 properties in Hauz Khas market, following the direction of the Supreme Court appointed Monitoring Committee.

A senior SDMC official said the basements of three banks - SBI, UCO and Bank of Baroda, some consultancy offices and one gym are among those sealed.

“The Sc-appointed monitoring committee instructed officials of building department of the SDMC to seal the basement and upper floors running without paying conversion charges,” he said.

“The order was issued by the committee appointed by the SC and we have acted accordingly. There is no need for sending any prior notice just before the action in that case,” said a senior official from SDMC.

Initially, the officials faced resistance from owners of the units, forcing the authorities to call police. “Action was taken in police presence,” he said.

Meanwhile, majority of shopkeepers resisted the move and questioned the sudden drive as they were not informed about the actions.

Their complained that they should have been warned when they start running businesses in their respective shops.

The Corporation had earlier sealed 135 shops out of 153 Lodhi Colony's Meharchand Market over unauthorised constructions on January 1.

Again on December 22, last year, the civic body had sealed some famous shops and restaurants in South Delhi's posh Defence Colony market for not paying the neccessary conversion charges for converting the residential complex to commercial one.

Repeating the drive on December 28, the civic body sealed 29 commercial establishment officers/shops in Chhattarpur Bhati Road.

Many shops, restaurants are being run in other plush markets of South Extension, Green Park and Greater Kailash in gross violation of the laid down rules and regulations.