Notices issued to illegal hotels, inns in Golden Temple vicinity

Even the government-backed Galliara Scheme, which is meant to beautify the surroundings of Golden Temple and is reaching its final stage, had suffered a setback due to these activities. Around 90 hotels and inns have come up or are in various stages of construction in the area.

“After directions from the HC, notices have been served on 50 such establishments. We have given them some time to reply and then action will follow,” said Municipal Commissioner D P S Kharbanda. The next hearing on the PIL is on November 18 and the MC has to reply and submit an action taken report before the court by then.

Kharbanda admitted that many hotels had not procured no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the MC and the departments of health, sanitation and fire, adding that buildings being constructed were violating the permissible height limit of 38 feet. “There are serious allegations against the owners of hotels and inns. They will have to submit replies to our show-cause notices, failing which the action is imminent,” said Kharbanda.