Hindustan Times 15.12.2010
Paharganj guesthouses face MCD sealing
Bag packers coming to the city will have a tough time finding a place to stay in Paharganj. Reason: The MCD has identified 100-odd guesthouses in Sadar Paharganj to be sealed. The properties, which stand more than 15 meters tall, have been constructed without getting a building plan sanctioned, civic officials said.
According to sources, many of these buildings are structurally unsafe and have developed cracks as well. The civic agency has decided to start sealing these guesthouses from next week onwards. The sealing drive comes in the wake of Lalita Park house collapse tragedy in which 70 people were killed last month.
“There are more than 100 guesthouses, which have been constructed illegally with extra floors. These are structurally unsafe and we will start taking action against them soon,” said Renu Jagdev, deputy commissioner of Sadar Paharganj zone.
According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after sealing the guesthouses, it will disconnect electricity and water connections as well. Sealing notices will be issued to the guesthouses identified by the MCD.
There are approximately 400 guesthouses in Sadar Paharganj. The MCD said though some of these guesthouses could have been regularized, the owners failed to come forward. Most of the guesthouses likely to face sealing action are located on DB Gupta Road, Akarshan Road, Naya Bazaar among others.
“After the Lalita Park house collapse incident, we have been checking each and every building in our jurisdiction. The buildings we have identified pose a serious threat to other buildings and people in the area. So, a decision has been taken to seal them,” said a senior MCD official.
In addition to this, guesthouses that have encroached upon public land, too, will be demolished by the MCD.
Meanwhile, the traders claimed that the sealing drive will adversely affect their business. “There are so many tourists putting up in such guesthouses, where will they go if the MCD starts sealing them? Why didn’t they take any action earlier?” said a member of the Delhi Hotel Mahasangh.
Last month, the civic agency started sealing a number of guesthouses after owners failed to register themselves for carrying out commercial activities. The sealing drive was stalled after traders agreed to get themselves registered.
