Sealing drive to continue in city, says court panel

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court’s decision to list hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the Delhi Master Plan’s validity till February next year, will have no bearing on the ongoing sealing drive in the city.

The members of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee clarified that their drive against violation of land use norms and unauthorised constructions will continue.

“We have not received any separate order for discontinuing the sealing action in the city, so sealing will continue and people can approach us if they notice any misuse in their areas,” said a member of the monitoring committee on the condition of anonymity.

The next big drive is planned in east Delhi’s Vishwas Nagar area on August 16 for alleged misuse of residential units for commercial use.the monitoring committee had visited the place 10 days ago.

“During our visit, we found hundreds of small factories and godowns running from residential units, in violation of Delhi Master Plan 2021. We have shared a list of 650 such factories with the East Corporation for immediate sealing action,” said a monitoring committee member.

Later, the EDMC issued 48 hours notices to the defaulters. “We issued notices and as required by the apex court, given two days time to either shut down such illegal units or submit reply. Now sealing is likely to start from Thursday,” said a EDMC senior official .