Popular restaurants, cafes in Connaught Place among 33 eateries face sealing

In Connaught Place, two popular restaurants were issued notices for not meeting structural stability parameters and misuse of terrace premises. Some eateries under scanner did not have adequate sewage control mechanism and few were running despite their licences being cancelled.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued closure notices to 33 eateries in areas under its jurisdiction, including popular restaurants and cafes in Connaught Place, for violations of public health licence.

The restaurants have been given 15 days time to comply with directions or face sealing action. (Getty Images)

Some of these eateries have been running without valid licences, officials said.

Apart from this, officials said the civic body has identified 589 small eating outlets, which are running without permit.

“They will soon be sealed as appropriate directions have been issued for action,” said an official of the council.

The move comes as part of a survey of eating joints to confirm if they were adhering to the health and hygiene guidelines under NDMC’s Smart City programme.

Officials said that the licences of 33 eateries and cafes in NDMC area have not been renewed this year.

The restaurants have been given 15 days time to comply with directions or face sealing action.

“The establishments have been given a timeline to comply, failing which their licenses can also be cancelled. It is crucial for the health and hygiene of people as well as the environment. The enforcement department has been updated about the notices served and have been asked to take closing/sealing action,” said a NDMC senior official.

While some eateries under scanner do not have adequate sewage control mechanism, the others lack structural stability, the official said.

The civic body had earlier this week discussed the case of these restaurants during its high-empowered committee meeting, where it told the enforcement department to take action.

In Connaught Place, two popular restaurants were issued notices for not meeting structural stability parameters and misuse of terrace premises.

In another fine dining place, which officials said was operational despite its licence been cancelled recently, the seating arrangement was for 73 people while its registered capacity was just for 48 seats.

“There are some establishments which have been running despite their licences being cancelled. They have been breaching norms on seating capacity and have indulged in encroachment of back lanes with LPG cylinders. They also have dirty kitchens and drains. We have asked the concerned department to take stringent action,” the official said.